Sheehan takes lead at Nevada Amateur

Friday, Aug. 14, 1998 | 11:11 a.m.

Defending champion Steve Sheehan of Northern Nevada shot a blistering 5-under-par 67 Thursday to grab the second-round lead in the championship division of the Nevada State Amateur Championship at the Las Vegas Paiute Resort.

With a two-round total of 140, Sheehan took a one-shot lead over Scott Piercy (72-69) and a two-stroke advantage over Billy Harvey (73-69) going into today's final round. Both Piercy and Harvey are from Las Vegas and represent the Southern Nevada Golf Association.

Kelly Knievel and Mark Gilmartin shot matching 67s Thursday and were tied for fourth at 145. Las Vegas' Randy Creighton was in sixth place, six shots off the lead, at 146.

First-round co-leader leader T.J. Duncan struggled to a 9-over-par 83 Thursday and slipped into a tie for 22nd place. Darrell Lutey of Las Vegas, who shared the first-round lead with Duncan, shot an 80 and was tied for 11th.

In the net division, Raymond Peterson's second-round 68 gave him a two-day total of 139 and a one-stroke lead over Terry Henslee (66-74) going into today's final round. Peterson and Henslee represent the Southern Nevada Golf Association.

Jim Tucker, who shared the first-round lead with Henslee at 6-under 66, was disqualified by SNGA officials after it was determined that Tucker had committed a breach of rules during his round.

Jim Whisman of the Northern Nevada chapter of the Nevada State Golf Association extended his lead in the senior division with a second-round 72. Whisman, who opened with a 71, took a five-stroke lead over Las Vegas' Kyle Davis (75-73) into the final round.

Morris Ferstman and Albert Fisher of Las Vegas were tied for third at 5-over 149.