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Allied Association of the MGA

Meola leads Westchester Open

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (July 10, 2017) – Charles Meola of Saxon Woods carded one of just seven sub-par rounds on Monday at Wykagyl Country Club in the 95th Westchester Open Championship Presented by Callaway. Meola’s 4-under 68 earns him a one-shot lead entering Tuesday’s final 36 holes of play.

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Meola posted his score in the morning, but even as the wind picked up in the afternoon Dylan Newman of Bonnie Briar and Danny Balin of Westchester—a two-time Westchester Open champion—managed to card matching 3-under 69s to trail Meola by just one. Patrick Clark of Wee Burn and CJ Swift of Winged Foot also recorded sub-par scores in the morning, each shooting 2-under 70, while Adam Rainaud of Winged Foot and Tyler Jaramillo of Saint Andrew’s rounded out those finishing the opening 18 holes in red figures by tallying 2-under 70 and 1-under 71, respectively, in the afternoon.

“I hit the ball pretty close early on and didn’t make any putts, but I just stayed patient,” said Meola following his round. “I made a really good save at 13, and that kind of kept my round going. Then I finished birdie-eagle, which always makes lunch taste a little better.”

On the blind approach to the par-five 18th (normally the ninth hole for Wykagyl’s membership), Meola nestled his shot to 15 feet from which he rolled in the eagle-three.

“This place is in perfect condition. I think there’s gonna be some guys that shoot low scores—so, just stay aggressive, enjoy the day and have fun,” said Meola looking forward to Tuesday’s 36 holes.

An eagle also helped Newman en route to his place on the leaderboard, as he registered a three on the par-five 15th, helping him to a four-under total on Wykagyl’s five par-fives. He also had a hot stretch as he made the turn, carding three straight birdies on Nos. 8-10. Meanwhile, Balin—who played alongside Newman in the day’s final group—made the turn in one-over, but posted a bogey-free inward nine that featured four birdies. Clark also took advantage of the par-fives, matching Newman’s four-under total on such holes.

Rainaud had one of the day’s cleanest cards with just two bogeys to four birdies as he looks to make a run at his first title in the Met Area.

Four competitors also came in at even-par: Brice Busse and 2009 champion Craig Thomas of Metropolis, 2014 champion David Pastore of Fairview, and current low amateur, Eric Bleile of Sterling Farms. In all, five amateurs made the cut, including recent Arcola Cup champion James Nicholas of Westchester who posted a one-over 73 on Monday.

In all, 46 competitors made the cut at 76 or better. Tuesday’s starting times begin at 7:30 a.m., going off both Nos. 1 and 10. Nine-hole scores will be available for Tuesday’s morning round, while additional live scoring will be available for the final round in the afternoon.

Wykagyl played to a par-72 at 6,566 yards. The classic layout, featuring numerous elevation changes, winding fairways, and speedy greens served as a great challenge to the starting field of 127 players.