Staci Creech of Veazie and the Bangor Municipal Golf Course shot a 3-over-par 75 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the 54-hole Maine Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament Monday at the Biddeford-Saco Country Club in Saco.
The 42-year-old Creech, wife of University of Maine athletic director Karlton Creech and a former University of North Carolina standout, shot a 37 over the front nine and followed it up with a 38 on the back nine.
The Greensburg, Pennsylvania, native and Husson University of Bangor assistant women’s golf coach finished tied for third at the New England Women’s Amateur Tournament earlier this summer in Seekonk, Massachusetts, and has won three Women’s Maine State Golf Association tournaments.
Ruth Colucci from the Biddeford-Saco CC is second with a 76 as she went out in 39 and came home in 37.
Four golfers are three shots off the pace as Melissa Johnson of the Martindale Country Club in Auburn, Emily Bouchard of Biddeford-Saco, Leslie Guenther of Norway Country Club in Norway and Bailey Plourde from the Samoset Golf Course in Rockport all fired 78s.
Guenther is the defending champ.
Laurie Hyndman of the Woodlands Club in Falmouth was one of two golfers at 79 along with Kelsie Dessent of the Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.
Prudence Hornberger of Turner Highlands in Turner and Monica Austin of the Woodlands Club each shot an 81.