Clark Topping, of Columbia, shot a 4-over-par 74 to lead area players through the first round of U.S. Amateur qualifying over the East Course at Oak Hill Country Club yesterday in Rochester, N.Y.

The Seton Hall senior, 21, who plays from Patuxent Greens Golf Club in Laurel, made the match-play portion of the U.S. Public Links championship earlier this summer.

At the conclusion of today's second round, the field will be trimmed to 64 players for match play beginning tomorrow.

Another who played the 6,908-yard East layout was Jaime Geilenkirchen, of Baltimore and Hunt Valley GC, who shot a 78. Geilenkirchen, 19, who is headed for the University of Houston this fall, qualified in Philadelphia.

On the 6,574-yard, par-69 West Course, Tim Walko, of Lutherville and Hunt Valley GC, shot a 78. Danny Riskam, of Olney, shot a 77, and Troy Matteson, 18, from Vienna, Va., had his round halted by darkness.

The International Town & CC qualifiers included Tom Offutt, of Arlington, Va., with a 70; Jason Thompson of Alexandria, Va., with a 78; and Austin Eaton of Alexandria, another Publinx qualifier earlier in the summer, with an 80.

Pub Date: 8/25/98