Ponte Vedra Beach's Steve Horner and Ocala's Steve Albright lead after the first round of the 84th Florida State Amateur Championship.
Horner, the Director of Marketing for the PGA Tour, shot a 3-under par 68 on the Pine Barrens Course at World Woods Golf Club, while Albright posted a 4-under par 68 on the Rolling Oaks Course at World Woods.
Horner, who was reinstated as an amateur six years ago, made four birdies and a bogey to post his 68. Albright started hot with birdies on three of his first four holes and made the turn in 31. He made one bogey on the backside for his 68.
Four players are two shots back, while 24 players posted a 72 or below. Two-time State Amateur champion Mark Leetzow leads the group at 70. Leetzow, from Sarasota, was at 3-under par for most of the day, but made a bogey on the par-five 18th hole on the Rolling Oaks course to drop to 2-under par. University of Florida golfer Dalton Melnyk, Miami's Peter Mitchell and Palm Beach Garden's Brent Bush are also at 70.
Last year's runner-up, Joe Alfieri, posted a 71, while Joe Cristillo Jr., the oldest competitor in the field at age 58, shot 72. Doug LaCrosse, who won the State Amateur in 1992, shot a 73.
Round two begins tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. with players switching courses. The top 70 plus ties after the second round will advance to the weekend.
