prominently in both the gross and net divisions after the opening day of the 17th annual Lobster Pot Invitational Pro-Am Championships at Castle Harbour GC.

Rolling Road, who hail from Catonsville, Maryland, share top spot in the gross with Pawtucket Country Club II of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on 140 with Avila III one of three teams who are two strokes behind on 142. The other two are Pawtucket I and Thomson Country Club I of North Reading, Massachusetts.

In the net division, from where the overall champions will come, Avila III led by pro Jim Blanks lead by a single stroke lead from Rolling Hill, 126 to 127 with Chateau Elan and Thomson I tied on 131. Chateau Elan are last year's gross winners and are led this year by new captain Bunky Henry who has replaced regular visitor Tim Conley.

Rolling Road are led by pro Billy Bassler who is making his 19th visit to Bermuda for various golf tournaments. He and the team have been here for the Lobster Pot event every year since 1986 and this year they have Bermudian Eddie Lindo in their team.

"There's nothing I want to do more than to win Fritz's (Reiter) tournament,'' Bassler said last night. "He's been good to us over the years.'' Bassler said his team's strength is in the gross, though he realises the overall champions will be determined in the net division. "Eddie is a six-handicapper while our other team members (Bill Stair and Sam Whipps) are 14 and 15,'' said Bassler.

"I made four birdies today while Eddie had two. Gross-wise we were a lot better than it seemed. We probably should have been four or five under. We love this tournament and are in contention every year.

"The course is definitely in the best shape I've seen it, I've been coming here a lot of years and this is the best I've seen the greens.'' There are three days of competition in the Pro-Am tournament, continuing today and finishing on Friday, while there is a Charity Pro-Am tomorrow and the Amateur and Professional Championships on Thursday.

BACK FOR MORE -- Arthur McCarthy of Salem Country Club is in Bermuda for the 65th time for golfing events.