The Florida team comprised of Joe Alfieri, Don Bell and Jon Veniziano fired a team 6-over par 148 in the first round of the USGA Men's State Team Championship at Galloway National Golf Club in Galloway, New Jersey. Florida was paced by Don Bell and Jon Veneziano who fired a pair of 74's, while Alfieri shot 78. Each team's score is determined by the low two scores of the three team members.
Veneziano of Mount Dora turned at 2-over 37 after nine holes with his lone birdie of the day coming on the par five 6th hole. Veneziano, who is making his 2nd consecutive appearance in the matches came home in 1-over par 37 on the back to shoot 74 on the par 71 layout.
Don Bell got off to a rough start after making bogeys on holes 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 lead to an opening nine of 5-over par 40. The Port Orange native then caught fire on the back, making birdies on 10 and 11 before holing out from 126 yards for eagle on hole 12. The two time defending FSGA Mid-Amateur Stroke Play champion ended up matching Veneziano with a 74.
Joe Alfieri of Lutz turned in 1-over 36 but struggled on the back nine. Four bogeys, one birdie and a triple bogey on his final hole lead to a 78.
Florida sits in a tie for 12th place after day one. Veneziano, Bell and Alfieri will tee it up beginning at 12:00 PM this afternoon off of the tenth tee.
The USGA Men's State Team Championship is a biannual competition open to all states, the district of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each state may enter a team of 3 players, who play 54 holes of stroke play with the two lowest rounds each day counting towards the team's score. The team with the lowest 54-hole aggregate score is the winner.
