Hometown Golfer Leads

Clark Dennis shot a 64 on the course that was his childhood playground and grabbed a share of the first-round lead with Lennie Clements in the Colonial National Invitation tournament in Fort Worth, Texas.

The tough, old course on the banks of the Trinity River was robbed of its natural defenses by the absence of wind and some showers that slowed and softened fairways and greens.

Dennis, whose parents were members of Colonial and who has played this layout “since I was a kid,” agreed.

“It was there for the taking,” he said.

Billy Andrade shot 65, while the group at 66 included Fuzzy Zoeller, Payne Stewart, Curtis Strange, Mike Hulbert, Jeff Maggert, D.A. Weibring and Australian Craig Parry.

Pullman’s Kirk Triplett fired a 35-34 for 69.

But not all escaped without difficulty. Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, a twotime winner of this title, could do no better than a 75.

Nick Price of Zimbabwe, the defending champion and the top-ranked player in the world, was 3-over at 73.

In Corning, N.Y., Loretta Alderete matched the best round of her career with a 5-under-par 67 to share the first-round lead of the $500,000 Corning Classic with Pat Bradley.

Alderete birdied Nos. 15 and 16 and had just one bogey in taking the lead in an LPGA tournament for the first time since turning pro in 1985.

A non-exempt member of the tour, Alderete has played in just one previous tournament this year and has earned only $77,943 during her career.

The leaders were one stroke ahead of Allison Finney, who finished with a 68. Suzanne Strudwick, Melissa McNamara and Missy McGeorge were two shots back at 69.

In Wilmington, N.C., top-ranked Arizona State threatened to run away with the team competition at the NCAA women’s golf championship.

The Sun Devils, trying to become the first women’s team to win three straight college golf titles, were at 1-under-par through 36 holes, building their team lead to nine shots over San Jose State and Wake Forest.

Vibeke Stensrud of San Jose State shot her second straight 69 and has sole possession of the lead.

Nicole Materne from Mead is 24 strokes back with a total of 162. Emily Martin from Gonzaga Prep is at 164.