the first day's play in the 43rd annual Goodwill Tournament yesterday.

The American outfit comprising of professional Steve Madsen and amateurs Alan Hedlund, Jack Faherty and David Fielder found the compact Belmont Golf and Country Club much to their liking as they scorched to the head of the leaderboard.

At the end of birdie-filled round a net 57 was the foursome's reward, two strokes better than Salem Country Club, also taking in their first day at the par-70 Warwick course -- considered the easiest of the four being used. The others are Port Royal, Castle Harbour and Mid Ocean.

Also carding scores of 59, but at varying locales, were the local Belmont team and quartets representing Huntington Crescent Club and Metuchen Golf and Country Club.

Belmont, with club professional Cornell Bean joined by Cisco Gordyk, Bruce Fenton and William DeSilva Jr., were on target all day at Castle Harbour, their total a shot better than Morris County Golf Club.

At Port Royal, Metuchen, with pro Jim Miller directing the charge, and Huntington Crescent, led by John Schob, both fired 59s but saw the former take daily honours based on retrogression.

Playing toughest on the day was Mid Ocean, where the best total came in the form of a 62 by Holland Country Club of Holland, Michigan, with Duane Vandenberg accompanied by Lee DeVisser and Jim and Harry Lanting.

They were followed by The Toronto Golf Club, Richmond County Country Club and Log Cabin Club, each carding identical scores of 64.

Meanwhile, defending champions Long Cove Club, hailing from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina stood in a reasonable position four strokes off the pace following their 61 at Castle Harbour.

Bob Patton, Rich Covelli, David Myers and Bob Parlanti last year came from a stroke down to win by a shot on the final day, beating St. Louis Country Club of Missouri into second place.

In the gross division Lakewood similarly lead the pack on 62, followed closely by last year's champions Waynesborough Country Club and Winchester Country Club, both on 63.

DRIVING FOR GLORY -- Bob Patton, professional for defending Goodwill Tournament champions Long Cove Club, eyes his tee shot from the fifth hole at Castle Harbour yesterday. Looking on are amateur team-mates (from left) Dave Myers, Bob Parlanti and Rich Covelli.