By Rich Brown
rbrown@joplinglobe.com
MIAMI, Okla. — Whether a golfing newcomer to the 2009 NGA Hooters Buffalo Run Casino Classic or a veteran, one common theme was heard Friday among several of the players. Putting is the key to success.
Ramone Bescansa of Santiago, Spain, couldn’t stress the importance of putting enough. His 9-under-par 63 was Friday’s low in the second day of the event, which saw Rhein Gibson of Edmond, Okla., retain his lead.
Gibson shot a 65 Friday to go with his opening round of 66 for a 13-under-par 131 at the 6,960-yard Peoria Ridge Golf Course.
Joey Lamielle, Sarasota, Fla., who had been in a five-way tie for second after Thursday’s opening 18 holes, settled into sole possession of second place with 134, carding 67 both days.
Martin Flores, Mansfield, Texas, who opened with a 70, turned in a 65 for a two-day total of 135 and third place.
A total of 71 players made the cut — at 1-under-par 143 — to advance to the final two rounds.
Tee times for today’s third round begin at 7:30 a.m., and the leaders go off at 9:09.
Bescansa ended in a six-way tie for fourth at 136. He offered a one-word reason for improving 10 strokes over his opening-round 73.
“Putting,” he said. “I putted poorly on Thursday with 34 putts. I hit 15 greens on Thursday but I just needed to make the putts.”
The Spaniard, who played No. 2 at the University of North Carolina, where he graduated six years ago, said it has been two years since he has had a 63.
“It feels good,” he said. “I had nine birdies (on Friday) but most of them were inside 10 feet and I had no bogeys. I have finished in a few top 10’s this year and I am playing more aggressively than in the past.”
Jason Dillard went from being tied for second Thursday into a five-way tie for fifth at 137 with the reason being his letdown on the greens.
“I didn’t shoot any worse but I just made more putts on Thursday,” said the Cullman, Ala., pro. “I have to get some putts to fall if I am going to win.
Joplin amateur Brian Black, who played golf at Thomas Jefferson and Pittsburg State, failed to make the cut with a 77 both days and laid the reason squarely on his inability to putt well.
“There are a lot of good players on this tour and everybody hits the ball about the same,” he said. “It’s just a putting contest. If you want to win, you have to putt. If you want to make the cut, you have to putt. That’s it.”
All five Joplin-area players entered in the tournament failed to make the cut, which was set at 1-under-par 143. Others were Justin Beck, Carl Junction, 74-80-154; Kacey Threet, Grove, 83-80-163 and Seth Rhodes (81-74-155) and Brett Vaughn (83-84-167), both of Miami.
Defending champion Jeff Corr, Longwood, Fla., opened with a 70 to go with Friday’s 71.
Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York City major Rudy Giuliani, shot 73 and missed the cut by two shots.
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