Rochester, n.h.
Martel, from Nashua Country Club, tied the Rochester Country Club course record with an 8-under-par 64 to take a one-shot lead into today’s final two rounds of play. Martel is at 6-under 138 through two rounds, with Bretwood Golf Club’s Damon Salo one back. Concord’s Matthew Paradis is the only other golfer in the field below part at the halfway point, at 2-under 142.
Five Upper Valley golfers advanced to the final day of play. Hanover High graduate Nate Choukas had the best day, shooting a 3-over 75 to reach 7-over 151 and a tie for 18th. His younger brother, Phin, is tied with Lebanon’s Pat Pelletier at 152. Claremont’s T.J. Barber (157) and Zach Melcher (158) also made the cut.
Martel was a machine all day at Rochester, throwing down eight birdies and 10 pars in a mistake-free performance. Salo shot a second-round 67 to keep close.
The two should know each other well. Martel beat Salo in a playoff to take last year’s Stroke Play Championship at Hudson’s Green Meadow Golf Course.
The 41 survivors play 36 holes today, starting at 8 a.m., to determine this year’s tournament champ.
Reynolds Wins Vt. Title
Barre, Vt.
Reynolds’ 13-over-par 84 in the final round opened the door for a last-day charge from Williston’s Jeanne Morrissey, who was 10 shots behind Reynolds at the start of the day. Reynolds finished at 23-over 236, with Morrissey two shots back at 238 after a best-of-the-day round of 76. Alburg’s Andrea Brown grabbed third at 239.
Meriden’s Kathy Allbright and Quechee’s Madi Lyford narrowly missed out on top-20 finishes. Playing out of Green Mountain National, Allbright took 23rd place at 275, while Lyford shared 24th at 276. Lake Morey’s Jennifer Steck was 34th at 291.