Three tied for Senior PGA lead at Turtle Bay

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

KAHUKU — The last time John Jacobs visited Turtle Bay, some 25 years ago, the resort was called Kuilima and the harshest elements he and golf partner Fred Biletnikoff faced were "a couple six-packs of beer."

Hale Irwin, who represents Kapalua, is one shot off the lead after the first round of the Turtle Bay Championship. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

A group of six others, including Hale Irwin, is one shot back. Steve Veriato, who was born and raised in Hilo, and Kailua's Larry Stubblefield each shot 72, and Lance Suzuki of Hau'ula carded a 74.

Many of the players had high praise for the 7,088-yard Palmer Course, but heavy raindrops and 15-25 mph winds gave the former Links at Kuilima a nasty edge that was absent in the pro-am rounds. Irwin noted that similar downpours on the Mainland usually are accompanied by lightning, which would would result in play stoppage.

But no such luck here.

"The first few holes were diabolical ... I was wishing they would delay it," Jacobs said. "The course was completely different from yesterday. A bunker I carried by 50 yards yesterday, I couldn't get close to carrying today."

Jacobs had one bogey and three birdies on the front nine to make the turn at 2-under 34, then had seven straight pars and finished with birdies on 17 and 18 to come in at 34.

"I missed only two greens, so I had a lot of makeable pars," Jacobs said. "I had about eight putts of between 12 and 18 feet."

Gibson and Mauney each shot 32 on the back nine to rally for a share of the lead. Gibson actually was 1-over after 10 holes before making birdies on five of his final seven.

"I had missed some putts earlier for par," said Gibson, who made bogey on Nos. 3, 7 and 10. "My score could've been a lot better, but I just tried to stay patient. I knew that with the conditions, anything under par today would be good."

Said Mauney: "On a day like this, nobody's gonna make a 63 on you. The first nine holes, it was all wind. It was unbelievable. I just tried to be patient and hit it as solid as I could. On 12, I made par driving into a monsoon, and on 13, I hit a 5-iron to two feet when it was just pouring. It probably was the best birdie I've made all year."

Gibson also surprised himself with his best round in several weeks.

"On 18, we could see the rain coming, so I was just trying to get up there, knock it in and get out of there," said Gibson, who sank an eight-foot putt for birdie. "The conditions changed the whole golf course. The last couple days (in the pro-am), it was ideal, but now when you see the rain, hear it, smell it, it puts a little doubt in your mind. You really have to concentrate."

Elements notwithstanding, the players rained praise upon the immaculate Palmer Course.

"I would say it's in the top five on the whole senior tour, and the fairways are No. 1," Jacobs said. "It's wonderful. There are no better fairways in senior golf."

Said Gibson: "It's one of the best courses on the tour. It's very fair, and it's in great shape."

Wet or dry.