Gary Vanier

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (May 21, 2014) — Four teams have shot 63 in the history of the NCGA Senior Four-Ball. All four have gone on to win, exactly the reason why things are looking pretty good for Greg O’Malley and Ralph Costanzo.

The team posted a nine-under 63 to tie the tournament record today at Greenhorn Creek Golf Club, with nine birdies and no blemishes. They lead the teams of George Erbez and Tony McBroom, Michael Harding and 2006 champion Herb Jensen, and Frank Pieper and Mike Staskus by four shots.

O’Malley and Costanzo started hot and then coasted in the first round, as they shot a six-under par 30 on the front side before they cooled off—if making three birdies can be considered cooling off—and closed with a 33. A par on the short par five finishing hole cost them a place in the NCGA record books; regardless, they still have a four shot lead over the field.

Four-time champion Mark Miller and his partner Gary Vanier started a bit slower today, shooting a 69. Though they managed five birdies on the day, the defending champs had one glaring mistake on the card: they bogeyed the 476-yard fourth hole, a very short par five.

O’Malley and Costanzo have been a solid match in four-ball play, as they won the Manteca Senior Four-Ball together in October. O’Malley also personally has a solid track record against Mark Miller. He beat Miller by one stroke, also last October, to win the Sonoma County Senior Amateur Championship.

The tournament now heads to Saddle Creek Golf Club in Copperopolis for the final two rounds. Results can be viewed by following the link below.

View results for NCGA Senior Four-Ball