Championships yesterday at Belmont were shot in the 15-17 boys group where Bermuda's Chris Garland had a fine one over par 71.

Garland was followed closely by fellow Bermudian Steven Carruthers with a 72, while Jon Bowland, the recent winner of the Junior Golf Association Tournament of Champions in Ohio, was third with a 78.

Although Bermuda is leading in four of the five divisions there was disappointment for the local fraternity with Duncan Zelkin, the defending champion in the 18-21 division, soaring to an 83 in his opening round. That leaves him seven strokes behind leader Jimmy Legere of Bermuda who had a 76 yesterday. He is closely followed by Ryan Hilts of the Bahamas on 77 and Jebb Nucci of Canada on 78.

Another disappointment for Bermuda was in the girls competition where Alisa Hardy, the title favourite, suffered a back injury during the practice round on Monday and was forced to withdraw. This has left the door open for Canada's Leslie Walsh who shot an 82 to take the early lead over Lisa Broomfield of Bermuda, by 14 strokes.

Justin Barritt of Bermuda leads the boys 11-12 age group after his opening round of 81, which gives him a 10-stroke cushion over Keno Turnquest of the Bahamas.

Bermuda's Craig Brown has a four-stroke lead over another Bermudian, Robert Spurling, in the boys 13-14 age group after carding a 78 yesterday. Spurling had an 82 , with Quinton Sherlock of Bermuda and Andy Moan of the United States a further stroke back.

The second round of the tournament will be held today at Mid Ocean before moving on to Port Royal tomorrow and back to Belmont on Friday for the final round.