The wily veteran (who happened to be playing on his home course) showed the field he’s not ready to relinquish his spot at the top just yet. Raman Luthra, with hands of a surgeon, fashioned a five-under par 67 to take a three-stroke lead over two players after one round of the 2013 BDGA men’s individual championship at the Crag Burn golf club.
Billy Gaffney and Nick Morreale matched two-under par 70s to remain within striking distance of Luthra. A few years back, Raman Luthra ran away from the field at Hunters Pointe to capture his first district crown. It looks like that danger has returned in 2013.
Tied for fourth place, at -1, are Crag Burn member Tony Hejna and Kevin Kaszuba. At even-par are two more Crag Burn veterans (Jonathan Clark and Mark Drabik), along with Thad Wier III and John Edwards.
Surprise performances for the day were the plus-two scores turned in by Matthew Stasiak (2013 NYS Amateur champion) and Daniel Yustin (2013 WNY Open champion.) Both will need back-to-back, sub-par scores to have a decent change of catching the leaders. Michael Carrig (2013 Porter Cup participant) also struggled with a 78.
