Spina gets hot at Hershey to lead Precision Pro Elite Tour event

   J.T. Spina’s game was as hot as the July weather Wednesday in a Philadelphia Section PGA Junior Tour Precision Pro Elite Tour event at Hershey Country Club’s East Course.

   Spina of Schwenksville had six birdies on his way to a 4-under 67 over the 6,439-yard, par-71 East Course layout to take a three-shot lead in the boys 13-to-18 division after the opening round of the two-day event. Andrew Forjan of York also registered a sub-par round, firing a 1-under 70 to sit in second place.

   Richard Kline III of Kennett Square is in third place at 1-over 72. Davis Clark of Mechanicsburg and Zachary Fails of Hummelstown are tied for fourth at 2-over 73. Brent Schueller of Jenkintown is alone in sixth place after posting a 74.

   Malvern Prep sophomore Andrew Curran, a Media resident, heads a group of six players who are tied for seventh at 4-over 75. The other players in the logjam at 75 are: Jack Mitchell of Devon; Andrew Simpson of Perkasie; Akhil Giri of Moorestown, N.J.; Alex Mulrooney of Wilmington, Del.; and Andrew Wallace of Narberth.

   Kara Kniezewski of Blue Bell is the lone entrant in the girls 13-to-18 division and she carded an impressive 7-over 78.

   In the men’s 17-to-24 division, Matt Smith of Yorklyn, Del. posted 39s on each nine to take the lead with a 78. Phillip Held of Lafayette Hill is in second place, a shot back of Smith at 79.

   Emily Gilbert of Gilbertsville leads a tight pack in the women’s 17-to-24 division with a 78. Megan Kimmel of Ephrata is a shot back in second after carding a 79. Lacey Bensing of Ephrata is another two shots back in third place with an 81 and Emily McGarrigle of Wernersville is in fourth place at 82.