Welch, Gilleon share NH Open lead

NORTH CONWAY – Michael Welch and part-time Franklin resident James Gilleon shared the first-round lead of the 78th New Hampshire Open yesterday at North Conway Country Club.

Welch (North Quincy, Mass.), and Gilleon both shot eight-under 63. Dustin Cone (Bennington, Vt.) is next at 64.

Chris Rivard (Manchester) is tied for seventh after shooting a 67. Three Granite State players are among a large group at 68 -- Mark Baldwin (Gilford), Jeffrey Monteleone (Exeter), and Pat Pelletier (Lebanon).

Defending champion Rich Parker (Lebanon) is in a tie for 13th after signing for a 69.

Gilleon is a Middleboro, Mass., resident. He is spending this summer in Franklin with friends, and practices regularly at Mojalaki Golf Club.

Gilleon' work at Mojalaki paid off yesterday. After parring his first four holes, he got hot. Gilleon' back nine 30 was highlighted by eagles on Nos. 11 and 17.

Welch bogeyed his first hole, but that was his final black mark. His 32-31-63 featured nine birdies.

Pelletier's sparkling 68 gave him a three-shot lead over Bob Hamilton (Dedham, Mass.) for low amateur honors. Camrin James (Jackson) is well placed to win his second successive low amateur crown. The North Conway member shot 72 yesterday.

The final round resumes today at 7 a.m. Welch, Gilleon and Cone are last off at 10 a.m. The winner will receive $3,000.

Other New Hampshire scores: 70 - Bill Andrews (Greenland); 71 - Wayne Natti (Franconia), Shaun Bishop (Candia); 72 - Joshua Chamberlain (Amherst), Justin Barkley (Laconia), David McKinnon (Newbury), Bob Adams (Dover); 73 - Eric Duea (Bretton Woods), Tony Fournier (Rye); 74 - Sean Chipman (Atkinson); 75 - Dan Arvanitis (Manchester), Randall Thibault (Moultonborough); 76 - Dylan Evans (Bedford), Michael Field (Sugar Hill), Michael Ferrigno (Salem), Craig Turcotte (Conway), Stephen Kozlowski (Meredith); 77 - Paul Collier (Rye), 79 - Paul Harlow (North Conway), John Szmyd (Rye), Wayne Swanson (Atkinson); 80 - Bill Cahill (Hudson), Griffen Andrews (Greenland).