(3 December 2009 – St Georges Basin, NSW)
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Victoria&aposs Kate Combes fired a 2-under par 70 to hold a one shot lead after the opening round of the St Georges Basin Country Club Pro-Am today. The 26-year old from Mt Eliza recently affiliated with the Peninsula Golf Club in Victoria, took advatntage of the calmer morning conditions to post one of only three sub par rounds to lead by one shot from Sydney&aposs Joanne Mills, a two time runner-up in the event, and West Australian Nicole Montgomery.
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Combes fired a 1-over par 38 on her opening nine but stormed home with a 3-under back nine which included an sinking a 12-footer for an eagle three on the par-5 17th hole. The round proved a gratifying reward and a great confidence boost as she puts the finishing touches on her game prior to leaving next Monday to contend Qualifying School for the 2010 Ladies European Tour. Asked about her round, she admitted, "I didn&apost hit too many greens but the work I have been putting in at Peninsula on my chipping and putting certainly paid off. The facilities at Peninsula are excellent." She also commented about her preparation for her trip to Europe, saying, "I&aposm happy with the warm up for Q-School as I haven&apost played a tournament since New Caledonia three months ago. It&aposs good to get in that tournament mindset again."
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Mills also played her back nine holes in 3-under par 32 whilst Montgomery posted arguably the round of the day when she battled the strong north easterly afternoon winds to post the only sub par round of the PM field.
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One shot back on even par 72 is defending champion and 2008 Club Car Series winner, Rachel Bailey who also played the difficult afternoon conditions, whilst Danielle Bowers and Tamara Beckett posted one over rounds of 73.
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Photo by Paul Melville – Kate Combes with her opening tee shot.
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