(Moss Vale, NSW)
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The ALPG Tour&aposs Club Car Series continued today with the first round of the Moss Vale Golf Club Ladies Classic sponsored by Corban Automotive, Wollongong in the beautiful Southern Highlands. On a sometimes cold summer&aposs day, the scoring was red-hot from the players, enjoying the immaculately presented Moss Vale golf course. Queenslander Leah Hart, Victorian Wendy Berger and Malaysian born Bing Lim took most advantage, shooting scores of 5-under par 68 on the par-73 layout. In second place are a group of four players on 3-under par 70 including last start winner, Stacey Tate from New Zealand. She is joined by rookies Jody Fleming and Nicole Montgomery with Bree Turnbull all sitting just two shots behind the leaders. In all there are 16 players under par in what shapes up to be an exciting finale tomorrow.
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On a day that began in benign conditions but with some light mist, Berger led the field away, teeing off at 7.16am. After four straight pars, she made eagle at the uphill par-5 5th hole before a birdie at the short par-3 6th saw her make the the turn at 3-under par 34. Another bogey-free back nine was highlighted with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th for her to reach the 5-under mark, where she would stay and set the early pace.
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Lim, with coach Steve McRae in tow, continued with her recent solid form, also firing a bogey-free round of 5-under par 68. Hitting off at 11.16am, she started with a birdie on the 7th hole and played steady par golf interrupted with birdies on the par-3 11th and the par-5 15th before heading back towards the clubhouse. After making the turn, she rolled in a breaking 9-foot birdie putt on the 4th before punctuating her round with a final birdie at the 6th hole. McRae, who also coaches Australia&aposs newest golfing superstar, Katherine Hull said, "She left a few out there. She missed a 3-footer on the 5th, that would have been nice."
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Hart, who hops on a plane to Dubai on Saturday, was the only one of the leading trio to record a bogey, with 1-over&aposs on the 3rd and 14th. However, 4 birdies on the front side and 3 more on the back saw her match the mark set by Lim and Berger.
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The final round of the $25,000 Pro-Am begins at 7.08am tomorrow morning and with 16 players within four shots of the lead, it will take a low score to take home the cash.
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Photo courtesy of Rob Sheeley – www.robshots.com.au