Baker in contention at New England Open

BOLTON, Mass. – Larry Nuger of Crestview Country Club in Agawam, Mass., holds a two-stroke lead after Tuesday’s opening round of the $50,000 New England Open at The International Golf Club.

Nuger, playing the Oaks course, shot a 5-under-par 67 to take the lead over Al Lupis of Bass River Golf Club in South Yarmouth, Mass., Geoff Sisk of Marshfield (Mass.) Country Club, and amateur Frank Vana Jr. of Marlborough (Mass.) Country Club. Lupis and Vana also played the Oaks course, while Sisk played the longer Pines layout.

Mike Baker of Bradley, assistant pro at Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor, heads a trio of players at 70, including defending champion Michael Sims of Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, R.I. Baker and Sims also played the Pines.

Bob Darling Jr. of Fox Ridge Golf Course in Auburn is tied for 20th after shooting a 73, and Hampden native John Hickson, a teaching pro at Sunset Ridge Golf Course in Westbrook, is tied for 46th with a 75.

The second round today has the players switching to the opposite courses from the ones they played Tuesday. After today’s round, the field will be cut to the low 50 and ties for Thursday’s 18-hole chase for the $9,000 first-place check.