Gilleon, Welch lead N.H. Open heading into final round

Michael Welch, of North Quincy, Mass., and James Gilleon, of Franklin, are the leaders heading into the final round of the 2008 New Hampshire Open Championship at North Conway Country Club. Both shot blistering scores of 63 (8 under par) Monday on the first day of the two day tournament, but their leads are slim, with a talented field of five golfers within four strokes of the top spot.Gilleon was bogey-free on the 6,606 yard par 71 course in hazy, humid conditions. His round included two eagles (the par 5, 495 yard 11th hole and the par 5, 541 yard 17th). He was two under par after nine holes and minus four on the back nine.Welch opened his round with a bogey and then eventually found a groove that led to birdies on five consecutive holes (seventh through 11). He had a 32 for the opening nine and 31 on the back side.Sitting just a stroke off the lead is Dustin Cone, of Bennington, Vt., who shot a 7 under 64. John Elliott, of Westerly, R.I. is two shots back at minus 6, 65.Eric Egloff, of Sandy Springs, Md., and Frank Dully II, of Salem Mass., are tied for fifth after posting 66s.Defending champion, Rich Parker, of Lebanon, is among 11 players tied for 13th after carding a 2 under par round of 69.The cut for Tuesday's final round was plus 1, 72. Cam James, of Jackson and playing out of the North Conway Country Club, was among 21 golfers to shoot that score. He is one of five amateurs (there were 30 in the field) to make the cut. Patrick Pellitier, of Hanover Country Club, is the leading amateur, shooting a 3 under 68.James, who reached the semifinal in the N.H. State Amateur Championship earlier this month, three birdies on his round to go with four bogeys.The final round begins at 7 a.m. Leaders Gilleon and Welch will be in the final pairing at 10 a.m.James is slated to tee off at 7:18 a.m.Among the local players in the tournament missing the cut were amateur Brian Knipp, of Fryeburg and playing out of NCCC, plus 4, 75; amateur Craig Turcotte, of Conway, plus 5, 76; North Conway CC Pro Larry Gallagher, plus 6, 77; and amateur Paul Harlow, of Intervale and playing out of North Conway Country Club, plus 8, 79.