CONCORD, Mass (AP) – Allen Doyle didn’t want to be the best hockey player on the course. He just wanted to be the best golfer.

The former Division II defenseman shot a tournament-record 8-under 63 on Saturday – including a 29 on the front nine – to take the lead at 11 under after two rounds of the FleetBoston Classic.

Defending champion Bob Gilder shot a 65 to move to 9 under and into a tie for second with James Mason, who was 5 under for the day at the 6,591-yard, par-71 Nashawtuc Country Club.

First-round leader Bruce Fleisher was among five tied at 7 under.

The tournament also included a charity competition among current and retired NHL players. Hall of Fame goalie Grant Fuhr topped that field, shooting a 3-under 68 to take a six-stroke lead over Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ben Clymer, who played in the group with Gilder and Doyle.

Doyle played high school hockey at local powerhouse Catholic Memorial before going to Norwich (Vt.) University, where he was inducted into the hall of fame. He was good enough for an invitation to try out for the 1972 U.S. Olympic team, but couldn’t because he was in the Army Signal Corps.

He didn’t turned pro as a golfer until 1995, and at 47 he was the oldest rookie in PGA Tour history. Since joining the Senior Tour, he has won seven times but he is looking for his first victory this year.

“It just seems like when I need something to go right, it doesn’t this year,” he said. “You get into ruts like that. I’m doing things well and just not winning.”

Doyle started the day at 3 under and birdied the first three holes, gaining more on the field on Nos. 5, 8 and 9 to finish the front nine at 6 under.

On No. 12, he bogeyed and Gilder birdied to change places.

But Doyle knocked a pitching wedge to within 15 feet on the 14th for a birdie that put him back in a tie for the lead at 9 under. Then he pitched within 4 feet on the 15th to take the lead.

“It was like you had to play well just to stay with him,” Gilder said. “He started the day with a bang.”

Both golfers had a birdie on No. 17, but Doyle had another on the 18th and Gilder three-putted for bogey to finish at 9 under.

“We were going back and forth there for a little while,” Gilder said.

Gilder had an eagle on the 517-yard fifth hole, chipping in from 15 feet. He almost had a hole in one on the 191-yard second hole, hitting a 5-iron within 6 inches of the hole.

“I wasn’t hitting the ball that good to make that good of a shot,” he said.

AP-ES-08-02-03 2039EDT