By Tim Schmitt
LEWISTON — After wreaking havoc on last year’s Porter Cup schedule, Mother Nature followed suit by handing the players a 50-minute fog delay before the opening round of the 2009 event on Wednesday.
It didn’t faze the players, many of whom had little trouble with the 6,837-yard track, but the bad news is the forecast for the final three rounds looks even less promising. Today’s forecast is calling for thunderstorms, a 70-percent chance of the wet stuff, and the same holds true for Friday and Saturday.
“I’m just worried about how much rain the course can hold,” said tournament chairman Dr. Sal Menante.
As for Wednesday’s delay, most of the players said it’s a common theme during tournament season.
“It’s really not a big deal,” said Cody Gribble, who shares the lead after shooting a 64. “You almost have to expect it in the summer time.”
As for Brendan Smith, who also sits at 6-under-par, the inclement weather gave him a chance to get online.
“I saw the fog and knew we’d probably have a delay,” Smith said. “So I sat on the computer for a half an hour.”
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Although Porter Cup organizers have been pro-active about getting more local players in the field, few took advantage of the opportunity.
Drew Creighton from Kenmore shot an even-par 70, but he was the only player with local ties to be at or under par. Late addition Dominic Bozzelli Jr. of Pittsford finished with a 71, former NFCC groundskeeper John Edwards had a 72 and NFCC member Raman Luthra shot a 73.
However, of the bottom 11 scores, five were from Western New York, including Joe Anderson, Jr., the son of Smokin’ Joe Anderson, who finished with a 78.
Last in the field was Matt Donahoe, the son of the former Bills general manager Tom Donahoe. After taking a double-bogey on No. 3, Donahoe struggled to a 12-over-par 82 on the afternoon, including a tough bogey on the par-5 No. 13 when he had a makeable birdie putt.
Coincidentally, this isn’t the first time a player tied to a local general manager took part in the event. Justin Regier, the son of current Sabres GM Darcy Regier, shined in the 2007 event, shooting a 62 in the second round en route to a fifth-place finish.
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Of the four players who took part in this year’s U.S. Open, only Drew Weaver shot under par, rebounding for a double bogey on the second hole to finish with a round of 68. The others who played in this year’s event at Bethpage were Drew Kittleson (1-over 71), Cameron Tringale (72) and Tyson Alexander (73).
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
