Bill Israelson of Vintage Golf Club shot a 3-under-par 69 on Tuesday to take the first-round lead in the Minnesota Senior Open at Hillcrest Golf & Country Club in St. Paul.
Israelson, the 2011 champion, leads amateur Jon Empanger of Island View by one stroke. Dale Jones of Mendakota is third at 1-under par 71. Defending champion Don Berry of Edinburgh USA is tied for fourth at 72.
The final round will be played Wednesday.
Saints fall to Boulders
Mike Gedman's eighth-inning home run lifted the Rockland Boulders to a 4-3 victory over the St. Paul Saints in Pomona, N.Y. Brandon Tripp hit a two-run homer for the Saints. Gedman is the son of former major league catcher Rich Gedman.
