Middle-Amateur Championship

Doug Zelner, a longtime member at Coatesville CC, fired a one-over par 72 on Thursday to grab the first-round lead of the Middle-Amateur Championship at Coatesville Country Club.

Zelner, a member at Coatesville the last 10 years, carded an inward, one-under 35 to hold a two-stroke advantage over Chris Lange of Overbrook GC heading into Friday’s final round.

In all, 71 of 128 players survived the cut of 81.

“I’ve been striking the ball very well, I’m feeling very comfortable on the golf course,” said Zelner, who carded two birdies and three bogeys on the day. “I’ve been a member here for 10 years so I know where to hit it and where not to hit it. I kept the ball below the hole, I didn’t make very many mistakes and posted a decent score.”

Zelner, a three-time club champion, viewed his local knowledge as key.

“That’s worth about three or four shots,” said the 39-year-old West Chester resident. “The members say that on any given day par is 80.”

Zelner had it to two-under after 13 holes, but bogeyed three of the final five holes to finish at plus one.

Lange a three-time Golf Association of Philadelphia Amateur champion carded a 74 on the strength of an inward 36.

“I had one bad hole,” said the 46-year-old Lange. “Looking at the scores, I would think I’d be in the hunt.”

Charles Dowds, III of North Hills CC is one of three tied at 75.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Dowds, who was playing Coatesville for the first time. “I was just trying not to shoot myself out of it.”

Joining Dowds at 75 are Warren Smith of Fieldstone Golf Club and Glenn Smeraglio of Yardley CC.

Zelner, who finished second in the Delaware Amateur in 2000, is not going to change his game plan from Thursday.

“I’m going to stick with what I did today. I’m going to use the same clubs off the tees and try to make as many putts as I can,” said Zelner. “Hopefully, that’ll be good enough.”

Lurking at 76 is defending Pennsylvania Amateur champion Michael McDermott of Llanerch CC. McDermott and three others are four shots out of the lead.

“I’ve never been a very good first day player,” said McDermott. “I was just trying to keep myself in it. A 76 will be in the hunt and, hopefully, I’ll play better tomorrow.”

Defending champion Darrell Clayton of Cavaliers CC shot a 79.

This is the first time since the event’s inception in 1984 that the Middle-Amateur is a two-day stroke play competition. Prior to this year, it was a one-day stroke configuration. The 2001 Mid-Am was also the first time players 25 years of age and older were eligible for the Mid-Am field. In past seasons, players had to be 30 years and older.