Norwich — Jeff DeLucia rarely beats his older brother, Chris, on the golf course.

Matches are usually competitive, though.

"Chris is a good sport about it," Jeff said. "He knows that he'll beat me nine times out of 10. But I always try to match up against him. I know if I'm around his score I'm doing pretty well."

Jeff gained some satisfication and family bragging rights by besting his brother during Friday's qualifying round in the 91st Norwich Invitational at Norwich Golf Course.

He fired a 2-under 69 while Chris, a seven-time Norwich club champion, was just one stroke behind at 70.

"We play every weekend together," Jeff said. "The last time I probably beat him was two years ago in this (tournament)."

The two St. Bernard School graduates will begin match play Saturday in the 16-player championship flight. Jeff is seeded fifth and plays No. 12 Rob Neaton while Chris, the eighth seed, faces No. 9 Brian Bardier.

Jeff hasn't had much time for golf in recent years. He's been working toward his doctorate in physical therapy at the University of Hartford. He played baseball at UConn Avery Point and completed his undergraduate degree from UConn.

The rust didn't show Friday. After starting with a bogey, Jeff racked up four birdies — two on the front and two on the back.

"I've been under par a couple of times (here), but it's definitely one of the better scores I've ever had here," Jeff said.

Chris is one of Jeff's biggest supporters.

"He played real solid," Chris said. "He hit almost every green. Definitely could have been even a little lower, for sure. You like for everyone in your group to play well. He played extremely well. I hit it well, too, so it was a good time."

It's a long, grueling road to Sunday's final. Competitors have to survive two rounds on Saturday and a semifinal match Sunday morning.

Jeff isn't looking too far ahead. He remembers what happened the last time he qualified for the championship flight.

"One round at a time," Jeff said. "Two years ago, I was two up against Phil Perry on the Saturday afternoon match. He played pretty well and ended up beating me. That was a good learning experience."

Qualifying round medalist honors went to Central Connecticut State University golfer Drew Aitken, Ray Duchesneau and defending champion Nick Harrington, who plays at UConn. All three shot a 3-under 68. Duchesneau is the top seed, followed by Harrington and Aitken.

Aiken started off on fire with birdies on three of his first six holes.

"I was satisfied," Aitken said. "I hit the ball very well. I had five birdies. And four of the birdies were within five feet. That kind of made my round a lot easier.

"The course is very scoreable, too, with the soft greens. The rain was almost enjoyable. Definitely didn't affect play at all in a negative way."

Aitken is one three players with Killingly High School connections to make the championship flight. Coach Kevin Marcoux (71), the 2012 champion, and 2007 Killingly graduate Aaron Vargas (70) also played well.

Bardier, who's playing in his 28th Norwich Invite, had a good day overall despite playing with a bad back. He had a sizzling 4-under 32 on the front nine before tiring late in the round and bogeying three of the last five holes to finish at 1-under 70.

"I keep saying this is my last year with my bad back," Bardier said. "But I keep coming back. ... Seems like when my back hurts, I swing easier and I play better. But when I get tired, I get tired."

Bardier, the 2007 champion, played in a foursome that has won a combined 10 Norwich Invitational titles. Bill Hermanson of East Lyme made the cut with a 71, but Dave Jones of Norwich and Phil Perry of East Lyme didn't make the championship flight after shooting 73 and 75, respectively.

Other golfers qualifing for the championship flight include: Josh Cameron (69), Sean Vigue (70), Rob Neaton (71), David Derosier (71), Nick Hedden (72), Chris Vincent (72) and Brett Shulick (72).

g.keefe@theday.com