Queensland star Daniel Nisbet, who ran second in the Australian Amateur Championships in Melbourne last week, took an early lead in the first round of the Greater Building Society Lake Macquarie Men’s International Championships with a seven under 65 at Belmont today. Nisbet, who plays out of the Caboolture Club, had five birdies on the front nine today to go out in 31. He birdied the 1st, 4th, 6th, 8th and 9th. On the back nine be had birdies on the 12th, 14th and 18th with a bogey on the 10th.
German golfer Marcel Schneider, who beat Nisbet on the 37th hole in the 36 hole final of the Australian Championships, is breathing down his neck in second place at Belmont. Schneider, who lives in Stuttgart and plays for the Schloss Monrepos Club, went out in 32 with an eagle 3 on the 4th hole and birdies on the 5th , 6th and 9th. His only blemish was a bogey on the 7th. He came home in 34 with birdies on the last three holes and a bogey on 13.
Four players, Callan O’Reilly, of Pennant Hills, Brad Moules, of Royal Adelaide, Nathan Holman, of Woodlands, Melbourne, and Mathew Perry, of Hamilton , New Zealand, carded 67s to be in second place.
Belmont’s favourite golfing son Chris Smith climbed to third on the leader board with a spectacular four under par 68. Taking full advantage of the softer, rain affected greens, Smith played the first nine in a sizzling five under par 31 with birdies on the 2nd , 3rd, 4th, 6th and 9th. He faltered at the start of the back nine with bogeys on 10, 12, 13 and 15. But then, in a dramatic fight back, he eagled 16, sinking a four metre putt after hitting driver and seven iron to the green. He birdied the 17th with an even longer putt from the back of the green and parred the last for his 68.
The 25-year-old is the current Newcastle District Champion but has never won the Lake Macquarie event on his home course. He now plays out of the Pymble Club in Sydney.
Also on 68 were James Gibellini, of Emerald Lakes, Kevin Marques, of Indooroopilly, John McMiles, of Liverpool, Michael Gerstenberg, of Goulburn, and Dimitrios Papadatos, of Moore Park.
New Zealand’s No. 1 player, Ben Campbell, carded 69 and local favourite, Jake Higginbottom, of Charlestown, was still in the race with a two under 70.
England’s Neil Raymond carded a 69 and tied 18th.
For first round scores click here.
