Setting the Pace

Greg Condon from the southern Colorado town of Monte Vista fired a 5-under-par 67 and owns a two-shot lead after Saturday’s first round of the stroke-play portion of the U.S. Senior Amateur at Eugene Country Club in Oregon.

Condon bogeyed his second hole and was 1 over par through four holes. But he made six birdies and no bogeys from then on, and birdied three of his last four.

Condon (left in a Sun Country Amateur Golf Association photo) is two ahead of a trio of players going into Sunday’s final round of stroke play, after which the top 64 players will advance to match play, which starts on Monday.

The other two Coloradans in the field struggled on Saturday and will need to rally on Sunday to make match play.

Guy Mertz of Longmont, competing in this event for the second straight year, opened with an 8-over-par 80, which leaves him in 116th place. Mertz made one birdie, five bogeys and two double bogeys on Saturday.

Scott Sullivan of Grand Junction match Mertz’s 80 after a day that included one birdies, seven bogeys and a double bogey.

Here are the scores by the Coloradans competing this week in the U.S. Senior Amateur:

1. Greg Condon, Monte Vista 67
116. Guy Mertz, Longmont 80
116. Scott Sullivan, Grand Junction 80

For all the results from the championship, CLICK HERE.