Locust Valley's R.J. Nakashian among Mid-Am leaders

R.J. Nakashian's entry form says he is from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. But honestly, he is a Long Islander. He grew up in Locust Valley, worked at Piping Rock Club in the bag room and went to Locust Valley High School. Today he shot par 72 at Atlantic Golf Club and put himself in good position to make the cut Sunday at the U.S. Mid-Amateur.

      Nakashian works as a caddie at Trump International in Florida--often caddying for Trump himself. He works on his game with one of the teaching pros down there, Mike Meehan, another Long Island native who spends the summer as a teaching pro at Nassau Country Club.

      It sure didn't hurt that Meehan won the Long Island Open at Atlantic. "He told me a lot of things about this place," said Nakashian, who will play the Bridge in the final round of stroke play qualifying Sunday.