Becker, Thomas Share Lead After Two Rounds at Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – Craig Thomas of White Plains, N.Y., and James Becker of Bloomfield, Conn., share the tournament lead at 5-under par 137 after the second day of play Thursday at the Otesaga Hotel Seniors Open in Cooperstown.

Thomas, who was one stroke off the lead after an opening-round 68 on Wednesday, shot a 69 on Thursday to leave him tied with Becker, who followed his opening-round score of 70 with a 67 on Thursday.

First-round leader Alan Schulte of Fishers, Ind., shot a 71 on Thursday to give him a 4-under-par 138. Schulte is tied for third place with Kirk Hanefeld of Hamilton, Mass., who carded a 69 on Thursday, and Lonnie Nielsen of Orchard Park, N.Y., who shot 68 on Thursday.

John Elliott of Westerly, R.I., is sixth place at 139 after shooting a 71 on Thursday, while Jerry Courville of Stratford, Conn., and Mark Tucker of New Hartford, N.Y., are tied for seventh at 140. Courville shot a 68 on Thursday while Tucker carded a 72.

The 35th annual tournament concludes Friday, with more than 80 senior golfers from throughout the country competing. The traditional post-Labor Day event is hosted by the Otesaga Hotel and its Leatherstocking Golf Course, with NBT Bank the presenting sponsor. An awards ceremony and check presentation to this year’s champion will follow the conclusion of play on Friday.

Proceeds from this event benefit Pathfinder Village, located in nearby Edmeston, N.Y., a residential community dedicated to children and adults with Down syndrome. Annually, the Seniors Open raises more than $50,000 for scholarships for Pathfinder Village.

Proceeds also benefit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum educational programs, which enable the world-famous Museum to fulfill its educational mission and care for its collections.

For more information on the Seniors Open and a complete list of scores, please visit www.otesagaseniorsopen.com.