Duenskie Leads 55th Pre-senior At Metuchen; Housen 2nd

COVER PHOTO: Morten Gotterup of Rumson, 2012 champion

Bob Duenskie of Flanders Valley was tired of competition amongst friends.

“I had gotten some new clubs, some blades, and I figured it was time to test myself,” said Duenskie, who fired an even-par 38-34-72 to lead the NJSGA 55th Pre-Senior Championship for golfers 45 to 54 and under at par-72, 6,419-yard the Metuchen Golf and Country Club in Edison.

Duenskie, who carries a 1-handicap, was two shots better than Chris Housen of Manasquan River, who shot 37-37-74, and three shots clear of Metuchen’s Scott Lipareli (37-38-75). Tied for fourth place are John Olsen of Black Oak (36-40-76), Tom Hassel of Manasquan River (36-40-76) and Stu Greenberg of Ash Brook (37-39-76). Last year’s champion, Morten Gotterup of Rumson shot a 40-37-77.

A total of 44 golfers who shot 82 or better from the field of 115 advanced to Wednesday’s final round of 18 holes.

ROUND 1 SCORING & ROUND 2 PAIRINGS

CLICK FOR MORNING PHOTO GALLERY CLICK FOR AFTERNOON PHOTO GALLERY

“This was the year I want to see if I could play well under pressure,” sad Duenskie, 49, who is playing in his first Pre-Senior championship. He played in one previous NJSGA event, reaching the match-play portion of the Mid-Amateur in the 1990s.

“Today, I tried to play conservative golf and not do anything crazy. I had a practice round here and noted that there are a lot of short par-4s here that are drivable, but I thought it was better to just play conservative, hit a wedge in and putt for birdie,” said Duenskie, a medical communications salesman.

Duenskie’s round included three birdies and three bogeys. Starting on the back nine, he birdied the par 5 11th, par-4 12thand par-4 15thto go 3-under par.

He bogeyed the par-3 16th, par-3 second and par-4 eighth holes.

“I putted well. The greens were tough. I made nothing over 15 feet. Even the downhill three-footers were no gimmes,” he said. “The course is in great shape.”

Housen won the 2006 Tournament of Club Champions and the 2011 Father-Son championship, with his father Bob. Housen's round yesterday included two birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey.