Royak takes control in Senior HoF tourney

Jun. 18—HIGH POINT — Bob Royak, the reigning U.S. Senior Amateur champion, took control of his first National Senior Amateur Hall of Fame tournament Thursday.

Royak was the only one in the featured Senior division to break par as he shot a 2-under 70 on High Point Country Club's Willow Creek course and opened a four-shot lead.

With a 68-70 — 138 total of 6-under, Royak is four shots ahead of Doug Hanzel, a two-time Senior Hall of Fame winner who was tied with Royak after the first round. Hanzel carded a second-round 74 for a 2-under 142.

Royak stood at even par, with two birdies and two bogeys, before he eagled the par-5 17th.

Hanzel birdied the first hole and then found the going rough. He bogeyed 9, 11, 15 and 16, then limited the damage with a birdie on 17.

Michael Mercier, another first-timer, stayed in third place despite shooting 3-over 75 to go with a first-round 70 for 1-over 145. Mercier was 2-under through the first six holes. He dropped back with a bogey at 8, a double-bogey at 9 and a string of three straight bogeys on holes 13-15. He also birdied 17.

Paul Simson, Sherrill Britt, Johnny Elam and Pat Thompson — four of the top players in North Carolina — are at 2-over 146. Four-time Hall of Fame winner Simson and Elamn each shot second-round par 72s to go with opening 74s. Britt and Thompson shot 75s after posting opening 71s.

Reigning Hall of Fame champ Steve Harwell skied to a 76 after an opening 71 and is tied at 3-over 147 with former winner Jack Hall (74-73).

James Pearson opened a six-shot lead in the over-65 Super Senior class. Pearson shot 1-under 71, one of two under-par scores in the class, for 3-under 141. Geroge Walker (70-77) and Curtis Knorr (73-74) are tied for second at 3-over 147.

Don Marsh, seeking a third title in the over-70 Legends Class, shot 76 for a 3-over 147 and a two shot lead over Ken Eichele (72-77) and Fred Clark (76-73), who are at 149. Clark's 73 was the day's lowest score in the division.