Golf Roundup : Clearwater Erratic but Stays One Ahead

Keith Clearwater still had a one-stroke lead Friday after an up-and-down second round in the $500,000 B.C. Open golf tournament at Endicott, N.Y.

Clearwater, who was two over par after seven holes, had five birdies on the last 11 holes to finish with a three-under-par 68 at the En-Joie Golf Club for a 36-hole total of nine-under-par 133. However, his poor start prevented him from adding to his first-round margin.

Clearwater’s problems were much the same for those trying to catch him.

Jim Gallagher Jr., Bob Estes, Gil Morgan and Dave Eichelberger were at 134 after all had rounds tarnished by bogeys and near misses Friday.

Gallagher, who had a 65 to go with his first-round 69, knocked in seven birdies but left the ball hanging on the cup on two other holes and bogeyed No. 15.

Estes, who shot a 68, had five birdies but set himself back with bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes.

Morgan and Eichelberger each shot 67s. A double bogey on No. 1 hurt Morgan, while Eichelberger had a bogey on No. 7.

Defending champion Gary Player and six other golfers shot five-under-par 67s to tie for the first-round lead in the GTE North senior tournament at Indianapolis.

Player, whose last victory came in Indianapolis last year, was joined at the top by Dale Douglass, Gene Littler, Jim Dent, Walt Zembriski, Mike Hill and Billy Casper.

Six others--Bob Charles, Dave Hill, Joe Jimenez, Tommy Aaron, Larry Mowry and Al Geiberger--were one stroke back.

Canadian Dawn Coe shot a four-under-par 68 to take a one-stroke lead as lesser-known players dominated the first round of the $300,000 Cellular One-Ping tournament at Portland, Ore.

Two other early starters, Shelley Hamlin and Caroline Keggi, also beat the 91-degree heat and were tied for second at 69.

Defending champion Betsy King, the runaway leader on the 1989 earnings list, was at par 72. Two-time Ping winner Nancy Lopez shot a 74.