Oakwood's Boyer in the hunt at Ohio Amateur

Ben Boyer of Dayton shot a 2 under par 70 at the Ohio Amateur Championship on Tuesday, July 14, at the Moraine Country Club in Kettering.

Staff photo by Jan Underwood Ben Boyer of Dayton shot a 2 under par 70 at the Ohio Amateur Championship on Tuesday, July 14, at the Moraine Country Club in Kettering.

ENLARGE PHOTO

New pool at 'The Heights' opens
5/27/12
Huber Heights suing consultant for more than $50,000
5/26/12
4 arrested for OVI at Kettering checkpoint
5/26/12
Man found dead at bar; police seek suspect
5/26/12
Turner adopts role for Romney campaign
5/26/12
> More headlines

By Doug Harris, Staff Writer Updated 12:34 AM Wednesday, July 15, 2009

KETTERING — Lucas Murray came up short on his approach shots on the first two holes at the 103rd Ohio Amateur Championship at Moraine Country Club — on purpose.

Because of the severe slopes on those greens, the 20-year-old East Sparta native opted for uphill chips instead of potentially landing above the hole and leaving himself a wicked downhill putt.

“If you’re hitting those greens, you don’t do yourself any favors,” Murray said. “A lot of times I played for par. If (a birdie) happens, it happens.”

The Akron University junior parred the first two holes on his way to a 4-under-par 68 for a one-shot lead over defending champion Vaughn Snyder of Massillon after the first of four rounds Tuesday, July 14.

“This course is tough. ... I feel like I stole something,” Murray said.

Local flavor

Ben Boyer, a four-time Moraine club champion, was in a three-way tie for third at 70. The 20-year-old Oakwood product missed just three greens, but a rebellious putter kept him from going lower.

Key stat

When the Ohio Am was held at Moraine in 1999, six players broke 70 in the first round and 15 bettered par. This time, only two shot in the 60s and 12 finished under par.

Tough hole

No. 8 at Moraine is normally a 542-yard par-5, but the hole was lengthened to 640 yards for the Ohio Am, and the field struggled to a 5.14 average. Murray, the leader, carded a bogey 6 on that beast.

Quote of the day

“The one thing I didn’t want to do is shoot myself out of the tournament,” said Boyer, who was rooted on by his parents, grandmother and other relatives. “You can’t win the tournament on the first day, but you can always lose it. I was very pleased I got off to a solid start.”

Contact this reporter  at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Top 5 after the first round of the Ohio Amateur at Moraine CC:

Lucas Murray, East Sparta: 35-33—68

Vaughn Snyder, Massillon: 32-37—69

Ben Boyer, Oakwood: 34-36—70

Mitch Mahoney, Hamilton: 34-36—70

Paul Grauer, Dublin: 36-34—70

Share this article