Riverside Country Club tore up the course at Riddell’s Bay Golf Club carding a net 19-under-par 51 in yesterday’s first round of the Bermuda Goodwill Pro-Am.

The team from Canada posted the day’s lowest score in the Junior Team Competition, in an event played at Riddell’s Bay, Port Royal, Mid Ocean Club, and Tucker’s Point.

Shane Brady led the way for the Riverside CC B team, with a net 65, while Kip Rollins and Blaine Tally were close behind with a pair of 66s. Professional Zach Johnson, carded a level par 70 for 18 stableford points, to sit in a tie for sixth in the Junior Professional Division.

The team from Hidden Valley Golf Course also made hay while the sun shone at Riddell’s, shooting a net 13-under 57, to finish the first round six shots off the pace. Terry Hatch, the Hidden Valley professional, made the most of his time on the easiest course in the rotation, scoring 23 stableford points to lead the professional event. James Ondo, playing with the Apawamis team at Mid Ocean, lies in tie for second on 20 points, alongside Kenneth Pridgen of Suneagles Golf Club.

Bermuda’s Par 5 Club, and the team from Port Royal Golf Course, made strong starts to the tournament, both carding net 13-under rounds of 58. Dwayne Pearman, the Port Royal professional, scored 18 points at Mid Ocean to sit in a tie for second in the Senior Professional Division, alongside Daniel St Louis, from Breakers West Reece Jones. They both trail Ted Griffin, of Woodland Golf Club I, who scored 20 points at Port Royal yesterday.

In the Senior Team Competition, Lambton Golf and Country Club A shot a net 57 at Riddell’s Bay, while Old Head Golf Links and Bellewood Golf Club, who shot 58 and 59 at Port Royal and Mid Ocean respectively are close behind.

There are nine women’s teams this year, and Weston Golf and Country Club started the strongest, opening up a three-shot lead after their first round net 10-under 60 at Tucker’s Point. The teams from Riddell’s Bay and St George’s Golf Club are tied for second after their 63s at Tucker’s Point.

In the Ladies Professional Division, Karen Nicoletti, of Country Club of New Bedford, had the best individual day yesterday, scoring 18 points at Tucker’s, five more than Jen Jaszek, of Hi5Golf. Joanne Noble, of Weston Golf and Country Club, is third on 12 points.

In its 62nd year the Goodwill is the longest running Pro-Am in history. Organisers, Tee to Green Ltd, expect to have attracted some 400 visitors to this week’s event, including several new teams playing for the first time.

“The tournament provides Bermuda’s economy with a significant boost during the off season,” Susie Mansell, co-owner of Tee to Green, said.

“We have quite a number of new teams to the tournament this year with many clubs bringing two and three teams which is very encouraging.

“We would love to see the tournament have 100 teams entered as it did in days gone by and these are all strong indicators that the tournament is moving in the right direction.”