Golf: Trio share course record on first day

An Australian teen and two New Zealand mothers shared in a new course record on the opening day of the New Zealand women's amateur strokeplay championship at Manukau yesterday.

Fourteen-year-old Frances Bondad from Sydney and New Zealand's Lisa Herbert and Brenda Ormsby all shot five-under 69s to better the course record at Manukau Golf Club by four shots in the Lion Foundation-sponsored tournament.

Twelve players fired par or better in ideal conditions.

The leading trio held a one-shot advantage over South Australia's Susie Mathews, with a further shot back to another Australian, Victorian Rebecca Fry.

New Zealand representative Anita Boon, of North Harbour, was alone in sixth place after a two-under 72, with Canterbury's Naomi Wallace at one-under 73 along with invited professionals Gina Scott and Kylie Wilson.

Three players shot even-par 74s - New Zealand junior representative Penny Newbrook from Rotorua, Taumarunui's Sandra Carey and Swedish international Helena Svensson.

Herbert, nee Aldridge, was surprised and delighted with her good form after little tournament play since she retired from the international scene two years ago for the birth of her daughter Molly.

She is the newly-appointed executive director of the Manawatu Golf Association.

"This is a holiday for me. It is strictly fun these days, although I am still competitive at heart," she said.

"I've played in only three tournaments this year, but I enjoyed it today.

"I was accurate off the tee, which is important here because it is a good thinking course. I didn't miss a green, which was great, and the putts started to drop."

Herbert had six birdies, including four in five holes on the homeward nine of 32.

Ormsby, who will take part in the Queen Sirikit Cup in Malaysia next month, was pleased with her game.

The heavy rain on Thursday gave the greens a holding nature.

Ormsby's round included an eagle on the par-five fifth. She also had five birdies and two bogeys.

The diminutive Bondad, who has just turned 14, bagged seven birdies in her round.

She picked up shots on the first, fourth, fifth and seventh holes. However, the three birdies on the homeward nine were mixed with a couple of bogeys.

Bondad is a member of the Australian junior squad and plays out of the Liverpool club in Sydney.

Not all the big New Zealand names had a day to savour.

International Tina Howard battled through the day and finished with a two-over 76.

There are two rounds today, with the final 18 holes tomorrow.