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The first round of the 2018 Trimax Victorian Women’s Sand Greens Championship kicked off today at Maldon Golf Club.
Located approximately a half-hour drive south-west of Bendigo, the beautifully manicured 18-hole sand scrape course was presented in top condition for the championship.
113 players hit off in pleasantly conditions with the intermittent sunshine providing some warmth throughout the day.
Defending champion Martina Whelan (Grampians) returned the best score of the day with an 11-over-par 76 off the stick.
Helen Leech (Neangar Park) is hot on her heels and just one shot back on 77. Joy Kennedy (Axedale) and Mary-Anne Davis (Murray Downs) are a further two shots back on 79.
Whelan is also leading the a-grade nett competition after firing an opening round of 65 and leads Joy Kennedy (Axedale) by 1.
Catherine Kelly (Rich River) is the one to beat in b-grade after shooting 86 off the stick today and narrowly leads Kerren Collins (Grampians) by 1.
In the b-grade nett competition, Venita Walder recorded a fantastic nett 65 off a daily handicap of 23 to sit atop the leaderboard and is 2 shots clear of Isobel Oliver (Inverleigh).
Marie Cook (Parklands) holds the overnight lead in the c-grade gross competition after shooting 90 today and will be looking to hold on to her narrow lead over Robyn Erwin (Inverleigh) who finished on 91.
Cook is also leading the c-grade nett after an outstanding nett 60 today which proved to be the best overall nett score for the round.
The official tournament dinner will be held at the club tonight before play resumes for round 2 tomorrow morning.
Click here for full results and here for photo gallery.