Setting the Pace: Greg Smith leads after Round One at the 88th Texas Senior Amateur
McALLEN — Greg Smith of Austin seized the early advantage after Round 1 of the 88th Texas Senior Amateur, firing a commanding 4-under 67 at McAllen Country Club to establish a two-shot lead heading into Saturday’s play.
“Lot of luck,” Smith said with a grin about his opening round. “I made a lot of putts, obviously, when you’re shooting a few under par. The golf course is fantastic too. I can’t say enough about the staff and conditions — it’s just really good.”
Smith, a member of Spanish Oaks Golf Club, began his round in the afternoon wave off No. 1 and opened with two steady pars. He broke through with a birdie on No. 3 and strung together four more pars before closing the front nine with back-to-back birdies.
Momentum carried into the back nine as Smith added another birdie on No. 10. A bogey on No. 12 briefly halted his progress, but he regrouped with five consecutive pars, including a disciplined effort on the daunting 16th. A closing birdie on No. 18 punctuated his round and gave him a cushion over the field.
Asked what fits his game best at McAllen Country Club, Smith emphasized precision and poise.
“Well, I think if you hit it up around the green off the tee you’ve got a better chance,” he said. “The greens are small here, but obviously putting is the key to any round. If you putt well, you’re going to, for the most part, play pretty good.”
Four players sit tied for second at 2-under 69: Alex Moore of Dallas, Mike Lohner of Southlake, Trey Womack of Midland and Greg Galasso of Dripping Springs.
In a three-way tie for sixth at 1-under 70 are Houston’s David Leiss and past champions John Derrick of Waco and Gary Durbin of Houston — all within striking distance entering moving day.
John Brellenthin of Dallas posted an even-par 71 to claim ninth, while Mike Custer of Tyler, Scott Tibbits of Huffman and John Pierce of San Antonio rounded out the top 10 with matching 72s.
Round 1 unfolded under fluctuating conditions. Players teed off to cool, autumn-like temperatures in the low 70s, before midday heat pushed readings into the low 80s with rising humidity. By the afternoon, the mercury climbed into the 90s, accompanied by a brief shower and winds gusting up to 15 mph.
The course demanded precision across both nines. The par-36 front nine yielded a stroke average of 38.43, while the par-35 back nine played more arduous at 39.81.
Round 2 begins Saturday at 8 a.m. off Nos. 1 and 10. Following the conclusion of play, the field will be trimmed to the low 54 players and ties for Sunday’s final round.
To view results from Round One, click here. To learn more about the 88th Texas Senior Amateur, click here.