Australians Carlie Butler and Nikki Campbell fired the opening salvo when they won the foursomes title on the first day of the New Zealand women's amateur championships in New Plymouth yesterday.
Butler, who begins the defence of her New Zealand amateur title today, linked with fellow Australian representative Campbell to shoota two-over par 146 for the 36-hole foursomes at the Lion Foundation-sponsored event.
The Australians followed their morning three-over par 75 with a one-under 71, bagging three birdies in the process, on a rainy afternoon at the Ngamotu course.
They finished five shots clear of two teams tied for second - another Australian combination, Melanie Holmes-Smith and Amanda Kingman, and the leading New Zealanders, the teenage combination of Enu Chung of Auckland and Christchurch's Grace Jeong.
Chung, aged 13, and Jeong, 18, followed their morning four-over 76 with an afternoon 75, dropping three shots in the first eight holes before coming home with 10 straight pars.
They were followed three shots back on 154 by New Zealand representative Anita Boon of North Harbour and national junior representative Sarah Nicholson of Wellington, who followed a disappointing first round 79 with a solid 75.
Qualifying over 36 holes strokeplay begins today with matchplay starting tomorrow with finals over 36 holes on Sunday.
