Joe Saladino shoots 66, tops Mid-Am qualifier

          Joe Saladino of Huntington considers himself fortunate to have been able to, as he put it, get right back on the horse after a tough loss in the U.S. Amateur last week. In fact, he said he used it as education and motivation, that defeat after he led by two with two holes to play.

           And he did make the most of it today, shooting 5-under-par 66 and earning medalist honors in sectional qualifying for the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Baiting Hollow Club. It wasn't easy--only two golfers in the field of 74 broke par (Jamison Friedman of Water Mill shot 70). Saladino played a strong round after a solid week at the U.S.. Amateur at Chambers Bay in Washington state. He finished with a touch of class, an eagle on the last hole.

               So now he will be in the Mid-Amateur, which is open only to golfers 25 and older, and will be held starting Sept. 25 at Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton.

             Along with Saladino (Huntington Country Club) and Friedman (Southampton Golf Club), other qualifiers are Steven Tanulli of Rockville Centre and Hempstead Country Club (71) and Scott Osler of Cutchogue and North Fork Country Club and Curt Woodworth of New York and Sleepy Hollow Country Club, who both shot 72.