Published: August 17, 2008 12:24 am      

Windber a grind for Moot

SALIX — Despite taking a small step backward in the third round, Matt Moot continues to dominate the Greater Johnstown golf championship, taking a nine-shot lead into the final round.

Playing what he described as a “grinding” round at the always challenging Windber Country Club, Moot bogeyed two of his first six holes before making birdie at the par-4 seventh and closing with 11 consecutive pars for a 1-over 73 and a 54-hole total of 9-under 206.

“I wasn’t as sharp as the last two days,” Moot said. “I grinded out there a little bit and saved a couple tough pars. Overall, I’m happy with 1-over the way I hit the ball.”

It was another up-and-down day for Windber’s Paul Berezansky.

In second place and trailing Moot by 10 strokes going into the round, Berezansky rolled in five birdies, but surrendered five bogeys to finish at even-par 72. He remains at even-par 215 for the tournament. With Saturday’s round, Berezansky has 17 birdies over three rounds, nearly one-third of the holes he has played.

The biggest mover of the day was Sunnehanna’s Ben Kamnikar, who shot 1-under 71 – the low round of the day – to vault from ninth place to third at 6-over 221.

Former champion Chris Cascino moved into fourth place at 7-over 222 following a 73.

Berkley Hills’ Kevin Berkley dropped from third to fifth following a 6-over 78. Berkley’s 54-hole total is 8-over 223.

North Fork’s Rich Horvath faltered over his final nine holes to shoot 77 and sits alone in sixth at 9-over 224.

Moot still holds a comfortable five-shot edge on breaking four-time champion Dan Thompson’s scoring record of 4-under 281 and, while he lost a little momentum at his home club, Moot still feels confident going into the final round at Sunnehanna.

“I have gotten great experience over the past couple years playing Sunnehanna under very difficult conditions,” Moot said. “I feel confident about the golf course and, if I hit the ball OK, I will be able to score decent there.”

“As far as the record is concerned, it isn’t my main goal,” Moot said. “All year, my main goal has been getting back to this tournament, trying to defend, and getting back to the Sunnehanna (Amateur).”

Windber Country Club leads the team competition at 873.

Berkley Hills is second at 911.

Sunnehanna Country Club is third at 920. North Fork Golf and Tennis Club is fourth at 958.

Final-round play commences at noon today.