Creamer on top in Seniors Classic golf

Veteran English golfer David Creamer played brilliantly to top the leaderboard at the end of the opening day of the 54-hole Seniors Classic 2003 at the Tobago Plantations and Country Club Course in Lowlands yesterday.

Creamer had only one birdie on the front nine but picked up his game on the back, despite the strong steady breeze to card four birdies and complete the first 18 holes on the par-72 course with a five-under-par 67. But Australian Terry Gale, winner of the Barbados leg of this European Seniors tour last weekend, continued his fine form to be one stroke off the lead on 68. Jamaican Delroy Cambridge and Guiseppi Cali of Italy are a further stroke adrift in joint third with 69 apiece.

Ex-Trinidad and Tobago champion and “wonder-kid” Allan Mew was well placed on minus four on the 12th hole but faltered on the next and again at the final 18th to be in a five-way tie in fourth place on 70. Joining Mew were Horacio Charbonetti of Italy, John Grace and David Oakley, both of the USA; and Mike Miller of Scotland. Following in eighth position on 71 are a cluster of nine golfers — Keith McDonald (England), David Good (Australia), Bernard Gallagher (Scotland), John Benda (USA), John McTear (Scotland), Jerry Bruner, Gerry Burns, Joey Combs (USA) and Guillermo Encias of Chile. Defending champion Steve Stull of the USA is well within striking distance off the lead with an even par 72.

He is joined by John Chillas of Scotland, Tommy Horton of England, Russell Weir of Scotland, Denis Dornian of England, John Mashengo of Japan, Neville Clarke of South Africa, Scott Davidson of England, Malcolm Gregson of England, Noel Ratcliffe of Australia, John Irwin of Canada, Simon Owen and Barry Vivian both of New Zealand. Almost all the golfers complained of the strong steady winds which blew across the parched course and bone-hard, fast greens. Second round play begins at 7.30 am today.

Leading Scores: 67 —- D Creamer; 68 —- T Gale; 69 —- D Cambridge, G Cali; 70 —- A Mew, H Charbonetti, J Grace, D Oakley, M Miller; 71 —- J Benda, K McDonald, D Good, B Gallagher, J McTear, J Bruner, G Burns, J Combs, G Encias; 72 —- J Chillas, T Horton, R Weir, D Dornian, B Vivian, J Mashengo, N Ratcliffe, J Irwin, S Owen, M Gregson, N Clarke, S Davidson.