CAVENDISH, P.E.I. — Curtis Hall has the lead after the first round of the Cooke Insurance P.E.I. Amateur at The Eagles Glenn of Cavendish.
“There is no better spot to be in then the front,” he said following his round. “I’ve tended to be a slow starter in the past so it’s nice to have a good start.”
The Charlottetown native, who turns 25 at the end of the month, shot a 4-under 68, scoring 34 on both the front and back nine. He has had lower rounds in non-tournament play but said Friday’s score was among his best in competitive golf.
“No big mistakes,” Hall said when asked if there were any keys to the low score. “It wasn’t a particular flashy 68.”
Hall has a three-shot lead on Moncton’s Stu Musgrave while Summerside’s Adam Gallant and Montague’s Saulomon Lanigan are tied for third at even par heading into today’s second of three rounds.
Stanhope’s Chrissie MacLauchlan and Cornwall’s Fiona Thompson are tied for the women’s lead at 4-over 76. Stratford’s Sherry White is third at 5-over 81. MacLauchlan also leads the senior women’s division.
Charlottetown’s Ernest Corrigan has a two-stroke lead in the senior men’s division after an even-par round. Steve Ball of New London is second.
Summerside’s Justin Caron leads the junior boys’ division after a 6-over 78. Luke Dillon is second at 81.
Hall bogeyed No. 14 then birdied the next three holes.
He said No. 15 is a hole that can produce birdies while a snap hook over the trees left him in a good spot on No. 16. He hit a wedge to within 10 feet of the pin and dropped the putt.
“It could have been a double bogey no problem,” he said.
The early success at the three-round event meant a lot to Hall, a regular on the Island circuit. His grandparents, Roger and Eleanor Birt, own the course.
“It’s kind of a home course for me,” he said.
Hall said the course was in great shape and Mother Nature co-operated.
“I think we’ve earned that with the time we’ve put in in the spring,” he said noting heavy winds at both events at Mill River and Avondale.
He said the conditions could get tougher today with some wind and the greens getting faster.
Related links: