ROCHESTER, NY (September 14, 2017) – Clark and Eric Rustand of Tucson, AZ shot a 6-under 64 on the West Course at Oak Hill Country Club to take a two shot lead after the first round of the John R. Williams Invitational.

Going early off of the tenth hole, the Rustands combined a quick start with a fast finish. They started off with two straight birdies, then added another on the par-3 17th, then birdied three of their final five holes to post a bogey-free round.

They lead by two shots over three different teams. Dan Russo (Hagaman, NY) and Tim Saur (Victor, NY) went out in the afternoon and made five birdies against a lone bogey to finish at 4-under 66. They were matched at that score by the Chicago team of Kyle Moran and Charlie Waddell, and the team of Blake Gianinny (Rochester, NY) and Jeff March (Penfield, NY), who posted their 66s in the morning.

Russo is a two-time champion of the John R. Williams, having won in 2003 and 2007 with partner David Hayes.

Six teams shot 67 to sit just three shots back, including the 2015 champions, Simon McInnis and Garrett Rank of Canada.

Twelve more teams are at two-under 68, with the 2014 champions David Poteet and Mike Cromer from Georgia in that group. In all, 25 of the 57 teams broke par in the first round.

The shot of the day was struck by Jonathan Dunlap of Toronto–he made a hole-in-one at the 14th hole of the West Course. He and his partner Paul Gortnar finished at two-under and tied for 11th.

Two other eagles were made during round one: Connor Salanger with a hole out on the par-four 12th, and Mike McGuire on the par-five 11th.

In the Senior Division, two teams are tied at the top at 4-under 67. Mark Chylinski (Pittsfield, MA) and Jim Mueller (Altamont, NY) combined three birdies with an eagle by Mueller on the par-five 16th. They are joined by the 2013 Senior champions, the Georgia team of Lee Dennis and Mel Mendenhall, who birdied the first three holes they played en route to their 67.

Four teams sit just one shot back at 68, with two more at 69. In all, 11 of te 18 teams broke par in round one.

The local team of Mark Dugan and Tom Blank, who have won this tournament two of the last three years including last year, struggled to a two-over 73.

For rounds two and three, the field will move over to the East Course, site of three U.S. Opens, two U.S. Amateurs, three PGA Championships, and the Ryder Cup.

There will be a cut after 36 holes; the current projected cut is even par in the Championship Division and two-under par in the Senior Division.