MONTEREY, Calif. (December 2, 2006) —Andrew Bowdish and Matt Marshall each used torrid stretches of golf, combined with a knack for avoiding the double and triple bogeys that Del Monte Golf Course can foist on players, to take the opening day lead at the amateurgolf.com Christmas Classic with 2-under 70’s.

Bowdish, who is coming off a win at the amateurgolf.com Metropolitan Amateur, notched two’s on three straight holes, including the par 4 fifth hole in which he drove to the edge of the green and chipped in for eagle.

Marshall, who tied for 8th in last year’s event, went on a stretch of five three’s in a row, including an eagle of his own on the par-5 13th. Only a three-putt on the 17th hole kept him from sole possession of the lead.

Mark Sollenberger was in front in the senior division with a 1-over 73. Charles Richesin trailed by a stroke.

Dan Gray led the net division with a 71, along with Derek Gilchrist.

NOTES: Del Monte’s out-of-bounds factor was the bane of several players, including Garett Wagner, who is still in the hunt with a 73 despite taking a nine on Hole 13… Andrew Biggadike was another victim, taking a seven on the par-3 5th when his tee shot bounced over the green, OB… The course has been good to the Gilchrist family, Derek’s son Jeff shot a 63 to win the event a decade ago… 17-year-old Sam Chavez is well within striking distance of the leaders at even-par, despite taking a double-bogey on 18… Brian Thompson is also even, while Jake Bieber and Kevin Fitzgerald are lurking at +1.

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First round results from the amateurgolf.com Christmas Classic, played at the par 72 Del Monte Golf Course: