PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Wayne DeFrancesco of Columbia, Md., posted a 5-under-par 67 Friday to beat an early afternoon thunderstorm and grab the clubhouse lead at 7-under-par 135 in the 19th Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional National Championship.
Heavy rain suspended play for 2 hours, 45 minutes at The PGA Golf Club, with 132 players unable to complete the second round.
Play will resume Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m., with a field of 264 trimmed to the low 70 scorers and ties. The third round is anticipated to begin at 11:45 a.m.
DeFrancesco, the PGA Director of Instruction at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md., is making his debut in the Championship after turning 50 this past August. He was the 2001 PGA Professional National Champion and owns a one-stroke lead over Freddy Gibson of Orlando, Fla. and Robert Thompson of Huntsville, Texas, who posted a respective 66 and 67 in the second-round.
"I am playing well this week and there are lots of birdies out there," said DeFrancesco. "If I keep playing one shot at a time, get under par and don't make mistakes, I will be fine. You have to go low eventually and I just have got to keep plugging away."
DeFrancesco said that he is hoping to build upon the experience of his past success at the national level.
"As a past Champion of the National PGA Professional Championship, I feel like I have been there and so it is nice to be in the hunt here, too," he said.
First-round leader Bob Ford, PGA Head Professional at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club and Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Fla., who opened with a Championship-record 64, was one of those unable to complete play Friday afternoon. Ford finished nine holes before play was suspended due to darkness.
Ford's opening round was the lowest of any round in the 31-year Championship history, and was two strokes better than the first-round record shared by five players.
Callaway Golf is in its sixth year as the title sponsor of the Senior PGA Professional National Championship.
The low 35 finishers will qualify for the 2008 Senior PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club [East Course] in Rochester, N.Y. The top eight finishers, including ties, will receive exemptions into the 2008 Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional Championship. In addition, the top 10 finishers will be exempt into the Champions Tour National Finals at TPC Eagle Trace, provided they have filled out an entry by the deadline.
The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional National Championship
PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Ryder Course (Par 72, 6,729)
Wanamaker Course (Par 72, 6,736)
Second Round Scores
Wayne Defrancesco, Columbia, Md. 68-67--135
Freddy Gibson, Orlando, Fla. 70-66--136
Robert Thompson, Huntsville, Texas 69-67--136
Jim Woodward, Chandler, Okla. 72-65--137
Chris Starkjohann, Encinitas, Calif. 68-69--137
Matthew Seitz, Hutchinson, Kan. 71-67--138
Ralph West, Litchfield Park, Ari 70-68--138
Thomas Fussaro, Shaker Heights, Ohio 71-68--139
William Britton, Tinton Falls, N.J. 69-70--139
Bob Ralston, Little Rock, Ark. 69-70--139
John Mazza, Beaver Falls, Pa. 69-70--139
Mark Pelletier, El Paso, Texas 69-71--140
Jim Fellner, Little River, S.C. 70-70--140
Bob Darling, Lewiston, Maine 70-70--140
James Blair, Ogden, Utah 71-69--140
Thomas Herzan, Findlay, Ohio 73-68--141
Scott Mahlberg, San Diego, Calif. 71-70--141
Darrell Kestner, Glen Cove, N.Y. 73-68--141
Rod Nuckolls, Wichita, Kan. 70-71--141
Bill Dodd, Phoenix, Ariz. 74-67--141
Bill Schumaker, Columbia City, Ind. 74-68--142
Randy Towner, Lawrence, Kan. 69-73--142
Christopher Dachisen, Wayne, N.J. 72-70--142
Robert Makoski, Novi, Mich. 71-71--142
Mike San Filippo, Hobe Sound, Fla. 73-69--142
Jim White, Lincoln, Neb. 75-67--142
Steve Heckel, Carterville, Ill. 67-75--142
Glen Stubblefield, Valley Springs, Cali 69-73--142
Gene George, West Palm Bch, Fla. 73-70--143
Randy Erskine, Lake Orion, Mich. 69-74--143
Jerry Impellittiere, Palm City, Fla. 73-70--143
Denny Hepler, Winona Lake, Ind. 72-71--143
John Traub, Oakland Township, Mi 72-71--143
Russ Moore, Socorro, N.M. 74-70--144
John Hayes, St. Louis, Mo. 72-72--144
Ralph Salito, Danbury, Conn. 71-73--144
Mike Gray, Jupiter, Fla. 73-72--145
George Forster, Villanova, Pa. 73-72--145
Tony Saraceno, Cortland, N.Y. 72-73--145
Michael Paul, Reno, Nev. 73-72--145
Jim Dickson, The Woodlands, Texas 74-71--145
Ric Burgess, Colusa, Calif. 74-71--145
Vic Lipscomb, Spartanburg, S.C. 74-71--145
Bill Sakas, Northbrook, Ill. 71-74--145
Victor Tortorici, Stuart, Fla. 71-74--145
Mick Herron, Monument Beach, Mass 73-72--145
Fran Marrello, Plymouth, Conn. 72-73--145
Rick Vershure, Armonk, N.Y. 70-76--146
Bob Ackerman, W. Bloomfield, Mich. 72-74--146
Roy Vucinich, Moon Township, Pa. 70-76--146
Jim Sheerin, Rye Beach, N.H. 74-72--146
Billy Ziobro, Palm Beach Gardens, 73-73--146
Jeff Coston, Blaine, Wash. 75-71--146
Steve Groves, Columbus, Ohio 73-73--146
Mark Black, Frankenmuth, Mich. 74-72--146
Robert Moreland, Ottumwa, Iowa 70-76--146
Michael Zaremba, Pueblo, Colo. 73-73--146
Tom Jaeger, Neptune, N.J. 73-73--146
Jim Razzeto, Rolling Hills Estate 74-72--146
Denny Ford, Indianapolis, Ind. 70-77--147
Butch Butler, Patuxent River, Md. 73-74--147
Tom Doozan, Apollo Beach, Fla. 71-76--147
Jim Logue, Canton, Ohio 74-73--147
Jerry Tucker, Stuart , Fla. 73-74--147
Kenneth Allard, Rochester, Mich. 72-75--147
Marty Fleckman, Cypress, Texas 67-80--147
Ken Corliss, Columbus, Ohio 74-74--148
Steve Ball, Oklahoma City, Okla. 74-74--148
Gary Ostrega, Westfield, N.J. 77-71--148
Tom Fortuna, W. Bloomfield, Mich. 74-74--148
Reed Hughes, Senatobia, Miss. 77-71--148
Michael Mack, Westampton, N.J. 75-74--149
Bob Rothgeb, Peru, Ind. 76-73--149
Robert Gibbons, Molalla, Ore. 75-74--149
John Dahl, Oxbow, N.D. 81-68--149
Mike Borich, Salt Lake City, Utah 74-75--149
William Feil, La Quinta, Calif. 73-76--149
Richard Tock, Mequon, Wis. 72-77--149
Mo Guttman, Sarasota, Fla. 79-70--149
Bob Mcgrath, San Jose, Calif. 79-70--149
Mickey Piersall, Dallas, Texas 78-72--150
Mike Muranyi, Monroe, Wis. 78-72--150
Larry Mackin, Mesa, Ariz. 72-78--150
Eddie Mudd, Louisville, Ky. 71-79--150
Jim Cichra, Pittsburgh, Pa. 77-73--150
Steve Spray, St. Louis, Mo. 73-77--150
James Paschal, Hendersonville, Tenn 74-77--151
Bob Groff, Reidsville, N.C. 76-75--151
Stephen Dunning, River Forest, Ill. 78-73--151
Steve Nelke, Spokane, Wash. 76-75--151
Wayne Natti, Franconia, N.H. 73-78--151
Bill Hall, St. Louis, Mo. 77-74--151
Rick Pohle, Williamstown, Mass. 79-72--151
Cleve Coldwater, Clarks Summit, Pa. 79-72--151
Mike Glendenning, Fairborn, Ohio 73-79--152
Frank Palumbo, Havertown, Pa. 77-75--152
C. Todd Smith, Matthews, N.C. 79-73--152
John Snopkowski, Morgan Hill, Calif. 74-78--152
Bill Galloway, Owasco, N.Y. 78-74--152
Chuck Coatney, Edmond, Okla. 77-75--152
Jeff Whitfield, Columbia, Mo. 75-77--152
Bob Percey, Farmington Hills, Mi 76-76--152
Bob Gordon, Export, Pa. 78-75--153
Ron Parsons, Oakley, Calif. 78-75--153
Don Trahan, Inman, S.C. 77-76--153
Jimmy Hamilton, Knightdale, N.C. 79-74--153
Bill Spannuth, Loganville, Ga. 80-73--153
Mike Carney, Watertown, Conn. 75-79--154
Clif Council, Kihei, Hawaii 78-76--154
Greg Wilson, Oskaloosa, Iowa 78-76--154
Tommy Thomas, Inwood, N.Y. 77-77--154
Dave Cook, Hamden, Conn. 75-79--154
Rick Neal, Springfield, Mo. 75-79--154
Tom Lernihan, Fredericksburg, Va. 80-74--154
David Glenz, Hamburg, N.J. 72-83--155
Mark Krause, Franklin, Wis. 76-79--155
Gary Woodside, Englewood, Colo. 75-80--155
Mike Darrell, Bay Shore, N.Y. 76-79--155
Doyle Corbett, Ketchum, Idaho 81-74--155
Mike Nickell, Fort Worth, Texas 76-79--155
Ron Dunham, Jackson, Wyo. 77-79--156
Terry Florence, Awendaw, S.C. 75-81--156
Lynn Janson, Grand Rapids, Mich. 80-77--157
Barry Basham, Louisville, Ky. 79-78--157
Mike Iyoki, Ewa Beach, Hawaii 84-73--157
Scott Basse, Marysville, Wash. 82-75--157
Bob Zimmerman, St. Lucie West, Fla. 77-80--157
Fred Griffin, Orlando, Fla. 83-74--157
Skip Holton, Waterloo, Iowa 82-76--158
Bob Boyle, Auburn, Ala. 78-81--159
Mel Mcintyre, Louisville, Ky. 77-84--161
Tom Gorman, Pompey, N.Y. 87-76--163
Unable to Complete Play (Round One Scores Listed Below)
Bob Ford, Oakmont, Pa. 31-33--64
Donald Reese, Defuniak Springs, Fla. 35-30--65
Mike Barge, Chanhassen, Minn. 32-35--67
Butch Sheehan, Rancho Mirage, Calif 35-33--68
Will Brewer, Franklin, Tenn. 34-34--68
Perry Arthur, Plano, Texas 33-35--68
Don Brigham, Jersey City, N.J. 32-36--68
John Klug, Bermuda Dunes, Calif 34-34--68
Gary Robsion, Canton, Ohio 36-33--69
Thomas Anderson, Laurel, Mont. 33-36--69
Stan Stopa, New Orleans, La. 35-34--69
Steve Cox, Vine Grove, Ky. 33-36--69
Ron Milanovich, Rimersburg, Pa. 36-34--70
Steve Waugh, Naples, Fla. 37-33--70
Lindy Miller, Fort Worth, Texas 36-34--70
Mike Zinni, N. Mankato, Minn. 37-33--70
Roger Kennedy, Stuart, Fla. 35-35--70
Dennis Foster, Thousand Palms, Cali 35-35--70
Greg Harmon, Mesa, Ariz. 35-35--70
Jeff Thomsen, Boise, Idaho 36-34--70
Allan Menne, Mashpee, Mass. 36-34--70
Gary Sowinski, Rancho Santa Fe, Cal 35-36--71
Kelley Moser, Norwalk, Conn. 37-34--71
Jack Seltzer, Panama City, Fla. 37-34--71
David Lundstrom, Victoria, Texas 36-35--71
Thomas Costello, Park City, Utah 36-35--71
Tommy Brannen, Augusta, Ga. 36-36--72
Gil Foushee, Lakeland, Fla. 39-33--72
William Loeffler, Highlands Ranch, Col 35-37--72
Richard Von Tacky, Titusville, Pa. 36-36--72
Michael Burke, Towaco, N.J. 34-38--72
David Arbuckle, Colorado Springs, Co 38-34--72
Bob Irving, Sarasota, Fla. 36-36--72
Paul Wise, Redondo Beach, Calif 36-36--72
Mike Gove, Snohomish, Wash. 35-37--72
Joseph Bostic, Wilton, Conn. 36-36--72
Mike Beveridge, Vacaville, Calif. 35-37--72
Bill Sautter, Warrington, Pa. 36-36--72
Bill Andrews, Greenland, N.H. 36-36--72
John Godwin, Pine Mountain, Ga. 36-37--73
John Calabria, Naples, Fla. 37-36--73
Don Germer, Omaha, Neb. 39-34--73
Mike Buss, Las Vegas, Nev. 37-36--73
George Plassmann, Olathe, Kan. 37-36--73
Chuck Westergard, San Antonio, Texas 36-37--73
Russell Clark, Aurora, Colo. 34-39--73
Wayne Phillips, Allentown, Pa. 37-36--73
Scott Spence, Portsmouth, R.I. 36-37--73
Jon Corliss, Virginia Beach, Va. 36-37--73
Robert Bailey, Old Greenwich, Conn. 35-38--73
Tom Joyce, Long Island, N.Y. 36-37--73
Glen Miller, Herndon, Va. 36-37--73
Cary Hungate, Kokomo, Ind. 36-37--73
Leigh Brannan, Canton, Miss. 33-40--73
Joe Tesori, Syracuse, N.Y. 38-35--73
Dave Kendall, Saline, Mich. 36-37--73
Bern Coulter, Wilmington, N.C. 37-36--73
John Graham, Idaho Falls, Idaho 38-35--73
Rusty Gunnarson, Mattapoisett, Mass. 39-35--74
Michael Harrigan, Chicago, Ill. 39-35--74
Cory George, Lancaster, Ohio 37-37--74
Steve Prugh, Spokane, Wash. 38-36--74
Mike Hamilton, Simpsonville, S.C. 35-39--74
Mike Brengard, Edwardsville, Ill. 36-38--74
Mick Soli, San Carlos, Calif. 38-36--74
Kim Thompson, Salt Lake City, Utah 38-36--74
Bruce Zabriski, Jupiter, Fla. 40-34--74
Mike Parrish, Guntersville, Ala. 38-36--74
Joe Gutterman, Palm Coast, Fla. 37-37--74
Kevin Bishop, Tumwater, Wash. 37-37--74
Bob Boyd , Wilmington, N.C. 39-35--74
Christopher Campbell, Vero Beach, Fla. 37-37--74
David Grygiel, Portland, Maine 40-34--74
Wyatt Detmer, Newnan, Ga. 36-38--74
John Deforest, Accord, N.Y. 38-36--74
Jerry Covich, Biloxi, Miss. 35-39--74
Brad Sherfy, Santa Rosa Valley, C 36-39--75
Edward Whitman, Blairstown, N.J. 39-36--75
Bill Lindmark, Green Bay, Wis. 38-37--75
Steve Kusisto, Adrian, Mich. 35-40--75
Bill Garrett, Granbury, Texas 36-39--75
Jack Snyder, Gordonsville, Va. 37-38--75
Wes Smith, Naples, Fla. 36-39--75
Buddy Harston, Nashville, Tenn. 37-38--75
Billy Rosinia, Indianhead Park, Ill 37-38--75
Jack Connelly, Huntingdon Valley, P 36-39--75
Gary Baker, Pepper Pike, Ohio 35-40--75
Gregg Wolff, Metter, Ga. 39-36--75
Mike Roberson, Visalia, Calif. 36-39--75
Bob Klein, Reno, Nev. 38-37--75
Gary Groh, Highland Park, Ill. 36-39--75
Brian Lowe, Windham, N.Y. 38-37--75
Craig Stephens, Broomfield, Colo. 40-36--76
Jonathan Kudysch, Syosset, N.Y. 39-37--76
Mark Kirk, E. Aurora, N.Y. 40-36--76
Greg Farrow, Marlton, N.J. 40-36--76
Reed Mcarthur, St. George, Utah 38-38--76
Brad Schmierer, Hastings, Minn. 40-36--76
Vincent Cali, Orlando, Fla. 40-36--76
Jon Stanley, Phoenix, Ariz. 38-38--76
Billy Harris, Dallas, Texas 40-36--76
Jeff Hunter, San Antonio, Texas 39-38--77
Brad Hulett, O'fallon, Mo. 39-38--77
Steve Benson, Long Grove, Ill. 38-39--77
Scott Davis, Hurricane, W.Va. 39-38--77
Jim Arendt, Naperville, Ill. 37-40--77
Ed Sabo, Tequesta, Fla. 38-39--77
Michael Cook, Sonora, Calif. 37-40--77
Ted Perez, Westfield, Mass. 37-41--78
Paul Jaycox, Tannersville, N.Y. 36-42--78
Tom Kammann, Baneberry, Tenn. 39-39--78
Lon Kinney, Noblesville, Ind. 39-40--79
John Craw, Lincoln, Neb. 42-37--79
Gary Wintz, Ponce Inlet, Fla. 38-41--79
Ron Vlosich, Lakewood, Colo. 41-38--79
Kim Dolan, Las Vegas, Nev. 41-38--79
Paul Daniels, Port St. Lucie, Fla. 43-37--80
Woody Fitzhugh, Great Falls, Va. 41-39--80
Steven Pinger, Cincinnati, Ohio 40-40--80
Gerald Fitzpatrick, S. Sioux City, Neb. 41-39--80
John Phillips, Savannah, Ga. 39-41--80
Steve Seals, Whittier, Calif. 40-40--80
Danny Kaye, Salamanca, N.Y. 42-38--80
Juan Elizondo, Omaha, Neb. 41-39--80
Tom Sutter, Mount Vernon, N.Y. 40-40--80
Mike Moyers, Stanardsville, Va. 36-45--81
Bobby Hogan, Tonawanda, N.Y. 43-38--81
Bob Pfister, Glen Mills, Pa. 38-43--81
Philip Newcamp, Pittsburgh, Pa. 40-44--84
Nick Spiegel, Farmington, N.M. 41-44--85
Kerry Greenwood, Mililani, Hawaii 43-44--87
Daniel Fabian, West Palm Beach, Fla 51-40--91
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