Nazareth and Perla share lead after first round of PGA Assistant C'ship

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Under ideal weather conditions on Thursday at PGA Golf Club, both Tony Perla of Villanova, Pennsylvania, and Savio Nazareth of Kernersville, North Carolina, shot 7-under-par 65 to share the lead after the opening round of the 38th National Car Rental PGA Assistant Championship.

A group of five players are tied for third place after shooting 67 on the Wanamaker Course – Richard Berberian Jr. of Derry, New Hampshire; Brett McCurdy of West Palm Beach, Florida; Brian Norman of The Colony, Texas; Billy Stewart of Devon, Pennsylvania; and James Troy of Evanston, Illinois.

The 132-player field for the National Championship features three of the top-4 finishers from last year's Championship, as well as 128 players who advanced through their PGA Section Championships. 

The 72-hole National Championship runs through Sunday.

With temperatures hovering in the low 80s and virtually no wind on the sun-soaked golf course, Perla had seven birdies and no bogeys, while Nazareth carded five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 16th.

“I played simple golf today, target golf,” said Perla. “I usually like to overpower a golf course. I played a little different style and was able to get it done.”

Perla, PGA Apprentice at Radnor Valley Country Club in Villanova, is playing in his second PGA Assistant Championship. He missed the cut in 2013.

“Last year, I was inexperienced and didn’t play well at all,” said Perla, 27. “This year, my game has come together. I had my putter rolling really well today. I was making 10-, 15-, 25-foot putts all day long.”

Nazareth, PGA Apprentice at Starmount Forest Country Club in Greensboro, missed only one green in regulation on Thursday.

“I hit the ball incredibly well from tee-to-green today,” said Nazareth, 35. “The only green I missed was the ninth, and I made a great up-and-down for par on that hole. I don’t think I missed a fairway all day, either.”

Nazareth is competing in his first PGA Assistant Championship.

“I’ve been working hard, and I know what I’m capable of on the golf course,” said Nazareth. “I’m excited with the results so far and looking forward to tomorrow.”

Norman, PGA Assistant Professional at Eldorado Country Club in McKinnney, Texas, also turned in a bogey-free opening round.

“The golf course is in great shape, and I was really consistent the entire round,” said Norman, who is competing in his fourth PGA Assistant Championship. “I’ve played well in this Championship before and I feel really comfortable on the greens, which is key.”

Stewart, PGA Apprentice at The Ace Club in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, began play on the back nine and was 4-under through his first nine holes. He bogeyed the par-4 third and par-4 fifth, but bounced back with birdies on the next two holes to finish strong.

“I’ve had a very solid year in the Philadelphia [PGA] Section, and it feels good to continue that trend,” said Stewart. “I haven’t played a whole lot of golf in Florida in the last few years, so I was happy with my performance today.”

Karen Paolozzi of Atlanta, Georgia, the only woman PGA member in the field, shot 68 and is tied for eighth.

Defending Champion Frank Bensel of Purchase, New York, opened with a 69 and is tied for 12th. Bensel is seeking his record fourth title in the Championship.

Following the first 36 holes of play on Friday, the field for the final two rounds will be trimmed to the low 70 scorers and ties.

At stake is a berth in the 48th PGA Professional National Championship, June 28-July 1, 2015, at Philadelphia Cricket Club.

The winner of the 2013 PGA Assistant Championship will collect $9,000 of a $100,000 purse.

For almost 40 years, the National Car Rental PGA Assistant Championship has produced outstanding PGA Professionals who have gone onto successful careers in teaching and administering the game, as well as competing at the highest level. 

Past competitors or champions include: Loren Roberts (Champion, 1979); Fred Funk (Champion, 1984); Rich Beem (third, 1998); and Tim Thelen (Champion, 2009).

Since 1996, PGA assistant professionals and apprentices have competed at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., for this National Championship.