— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Defending champion Pat Carter, Harold Payne and Craig Heinaman are tied for the lead after the first round of the West Virginia Senior Open played Sunday at Guyan Golf & Country Club.
The three each shot even-par 71 on the course that proved to be a tough test on how to handle the greens.
“I’ve never seen Guyan play like this,” said Carter, a former Guyan member who now plays out of Berry Hills Country Club in Charleston. “It’s a demanding course and the whole field will attest to that. It’s as difficult I’ve ever seen Guyan play. Give me seventy-one on both days if it stays like this.”
David Loggins shot 73 and Jim Grimmett a 74 on a 40-34 over the two nines. Grimmett started with a bogey and double bogey and played even the rest of the way.
Carter’s round featured two birdies and two bogeys. The second was a disappointing five at the short par-four 17th where his drive went into the left fairway bunker and his approach came up short.
“I hit a bunch of good putts,” Carter said. “You had to be very careful.”
Payne, like Carter a former Marshall University player, had an up-and-down day. The Sleepy Hollow Golf Club member shot 39 on the front and rallied with 32 on the back with the highlight a birdie on the par-4 18th.
“You had to be in the fairway and for the most part I did,” Payne said. “If you missed (fairways) you paid for it.”
Payne scrambled for par at the par-4 10th and then went on the birdie train thanks to a hot putter.
“I’m very fortunate,” Payne said. “I made more putts. I’ve always had success at Guyan.”
Heinaman had five birdies and five bogeys on his card.
“Keep the ball below the hole,” Heinaman said.
Jim Carpenter shot 76 to lead the Senior Division. Douglas Taylor and David Corbin each posted 77.
Monday’s final round starts at 9 a.m.