In a loaded field featuring many of the top amateur golfers in New England, South Deerfield’s Jonathan Elkins fit right in on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old carded a 3-over round of 74, putting him in the top half of the leaderboard at the U.S. Challenge Cup Amateur Invitational held at New England Country Club in Bellingham.
Elkins was tied for 46th in a field of over 100 at press time, with several golfers still out on the course. The two-day tournament, which concludes on Thursday, features many of the top amateurs in the region including Matt Parziale, Herbie Aikens, Michael Thorbjornsen and Nick Maccario.
Maccario was in a three-way tie for first place after shooting an opening-round 68, putting the leaders at 3-under.
Elkins, who qualified for the 112th Massachusetts Amateur earlier this week, had five bogeys and two birdies on his card. He took the turn at 2-over and recorded birdies at Nos. 11 and 15 to pull back to 1-over. He dropped shots at 16 and 18 to settle for 74.
Cote shines in CT
Elsewhere on the amateur circuit Wednesday, Greenfield’s Ryan Cote followed up Tuesday’s solid performance in a Public Links qualifier with a standout showing at the junior level.
The 16-year-old shot 3-over 74 at the Cas Coscina Junior Invitational, good enough for a tie for sixth place overall at Stanley Golf Course in New Britain, Conn. The event was part of the Connecticut Section PGA Junior Golf Tour.
West Hartford’s Henry Krieble was the only player to break par, shooting 2-under 69.
With nearly 100 players in the field on Wednesday, Cote was 3-over at the turn but posted nine straight pars on his back nine to shoot 74.