Brundred leads Middle Atlantic Amateur by 1 Naval Academy GC's Palko is second after 3-over 75

BETHESDA -- Ben Brundred III, the reigning club champion at the host Congressional Country Club, bogeyed the last two holes, but his 37-3774 was still good for a one-stroke lead after the first round of the annual Middle Atlantic Amateur championship yesterday. Bill Palko, from the Naval Academy GC, followed at 36-3975 for the 7,219-yard, par-72 course.

The early starters in the 128-player field had much the better of the mild, sunny day because a strong wind, which kicked up late in the morning and blew the rest of the day, sent scores soaring. At the finish, there were 67 who posted numbers higher than 80. As one player said, "It's the first time I've been tied for third after shooting 76."

Brundred had a roller-coaster ride on the front nine in relatively calm weather, putting up two birdies and three bogeys.

Adrian Druzgala, the Hobbit's Glen GC club champ, started with four successive bogeys, then played even the rest of the way for 76. Chris Brauner, of Greensboro, N.C., who went all four rounds in this event last year, returned with a goal of not making any double bogeys, and made it through one round, 76. Tim Dilli of Baltimore CC was in a group at 77, and the 78s included five-time titlist Marty West III, Baltimorean Serge Hogg, and Steve Thomas and Clark Topping of Columbia.

Pub Date: 10/02/98