NEW ZEALANDER Craig Owen had a four shot lead after the first round of the Peninsula Springs Victorian Seniors Open played at The Dunes Golf Links in Rye, Victoria, on Wednesday.
Owen produced eight birdies in his round of six under 66 with two bogies his only blemishes.
After starting with a bogey, Owen reeled off 6 birdies in the next eight holes for an outward total of 31. He had a further two birdies on the back nine with a lone bogey after a 3 putt on the par 3 13th hole.
The Kiwi played some exquisite iron shots that put him in the perfect position to convert the birdies.
“I was hitting it really close today”, he said, “I was able to get the ball close to the hole on holes 3 through to 9.” “I was also able to hit all the par 5’s in two today and two putt them for birdie.”
Three shots back sharing second is 2010 Dunes Big Pot Champion , Rodger Davis (NSW), Garry Merrick (SA) and Mike Fergusson (Qld).
Fresh from picking up the winner’s cheque of $40,000 after two days of matchplay, Davis shot a 3 under 69 in the afternoon field.
Davis’ round took a turn for the better after he was able to eagle the par 5 15th hole (his sixth for the day).
“I was playing really well,” Davis said, “I just couldn’t hole a putt until I rolled in 15 footer on the par 3 6th”.
Five players share 5th place on one under 71, including Lyndsay Stephen and Brett Officer.
One of the days highlights came from South Australian Peter Ormsby as he aced the 135 meter par 3, 3rd.
Day two of the Peninsula Springs Victorian Seniors Open got underway at 8.00am today, with the final round on Friday 26th March.