Posted Online: Posted online: May 6, 2007 10:08 PM
Print publication date: 05/06/07

Leiser earns first win on NCB Am Tour

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By Ryan Sergeant, sports@qconline.com

With everyone in his group struggling in the final golf pairing on Sunday, Chris Leiser stepped up his game, in the tough conditions, to earn his first win on the National City Bank Amateur Tour.

"When I see a lot of guys struggling, I tend to just forget about it and try to take advantage instead of being concerened," Leiser said.

The St. Ambrose junior totaled two points in the Stableford scoring system on Sunday, finishing as the only competitor in the field with positive points (5).

"This is a big confidence-builder going into the summer," Leiser said after his round that featured no double bogeys or worse. "That's the key; I stayed away from big numbers."

First-round leader Steve Schwabe (6 points) had a tough time in the wind and chilly conditions. Finishing at -12 for the day, he dropped into a tie for third.

Dan Fisher moved all the way from a tie for 11th to second place with a score of zero points on day two.

Two of Leiser's collegiate teammates, Aaron Pedlar and Jimmy Marinelli, were at -4 to finish with Schwabe at -6.

Leiser also was the only competitor to fire a positive number in the second round at Pebble Creek.

"My short game was really good. I drove it pretty well, too," he said. "I had been playing well coming in and this is a tough course. It seems as if everything is falling into place for me."

The next stop on the tour is the Hawthorne Ridge Amateur, May 19-20.

-- Long wins easily: Mike Long started the day one shot back of leader Gary Brotherson, but after a second round score of -1, Long defeated Brotherson by 12 shots for the victory. Brotherson struggled, finishing at -14, and a total score of -15. Bob Moeller and Rick Skerik tied for third at -20.