Ashburton: The Otago men's golf teams had a forgettable first day in the South Island under-19 and under-16 teams event which began on the Tinwald course in Ashburton yesterday.
With a total of 281, Tasman opened up a healthy eight-shot lead over Canterbury in the under-19 event, with Otago a further 13 shots back in third place.
In the under-16 event, Otago is also in third place behind the leading Canterbury quintet and Tasman.
Canterbury No1 Hiroki Miya led the way in style with the best score of the day at 6-under-par 66 to help his team to a 16-shot lead over Tasman.
In the under-19 individual event, Sam Nichols (Nelson) set the pace with 68, and Miya blitzed the under-17 grade with 66.
Jack Turner and Will Young were the best Otago players, and tied for sixth on 74.
Tiaki Ogilvie (Harewood) led the under-16s with 73, while Otago youngster Liam Judkins is on target to win the under-13 title.
In the girls event, Hillary O'Conner (Coringa) and Jasmine Rou (Harewood) led the higher age grades, with Otago's Annabel Evans third in the under-17 section.
