Provincial amateur golf championships at Bally Haly

Despite steady winds, a taste of smoke from fires in the metro area and firm greens, the first day of the 2018 Royal LePage provincial amateur golf championships provided some solid scores Monday at Bally Haly Country Club in St. John’s.
In the men’s amateur division, Andrew Bruce of Humber Valley Resort, the 2017 provincial junior champ from Corner Brook, and Michael Tibbo of Bally Haly, a three-time provincial men’s champion (2012, 2013, 2014), each recorded scores of two-over-par 72 to tie for the lead. Defending champ Mike Furlong carded a 73 to sit in third place heading into the second day of the three-day competition.
Matthew Woodland of Bally Haly cared a 74, while Blair Bursey of Gander and Nikashantess Penashue of Sheshatshiu and the Amaruk Golf Club in Happy Valley-Goose Bay had 75s.
Bursey (2015, 2016) and Penashue (2008, 2010) have each won the provincial men’s amateur twice.
In the women's amateur, Bally Haly’s Janet Mills had an 84 Monday, giving her a one-stroke lead over provincial development team member Taylor Cormier of Blomidon Golf Club Corner Brook.
Tibbo leads the men’s mid-amateur division, while Chuck Conley of Bally Haly had a 79 to top the senior men’s section, one stroke up on clubmate Eddie Bearns. Andrew Hynes of Clvelly is first among the men’s super seniors with an 81.
Mills leads the women’s senior, while Sherilyn Beaton of Clovelly is first among super senior females.
On Monday, Bram Dawe of Bally Haly, Justin Cluett of Grande Meadows, Furlong and Woodland each recorded at eagle, while Bursey, a Utah Valley University college standout, recorded three birdies in the first four holes of play.
Complete results from Day 1 are online at https://golfcanada.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/rcga18/event/rcga18538/index.htm?