Salisbury and Morton share lead in Essex
24/07/2014
David Salisbury and Ed Morton blazed a trail on the first day of the Weston Homes plc/Colchester Golf Club Classic.
The pair both opened up with five-under-par rounds of 65 to lead by one from Ian Ellis. Mark Talbott and Jason Levermore are a further shot back after signing for respective 67s.
Salisbury (American Golf Discount – Essex) was among the early starters and he delivered a flawless round of golf, making five birdies without a blemish on his card.
He was two-under at the turn before picking up another stroke with a two at the short 13th. But the Essex golfer saved his best for last, closing out with back-to-back birdies to set the clubhouse lead by lunchtime.
Morton (A1 Golf Driving Range) later matched that with a 65 of his own. Like Salisbury, he avoided dropping a single shot and conjured up a magical run of three straight birdies from the 13th.
The duo will be out in the final group for the second round and will play with the experienced Ellis (Great Yarmouth and Caister). A prolific winner, he will be seeking yet another Order of Merit title after his first-round 66.
Ellis was in the first group out on day one and produced a flawless card in which the highlight was an eagle at the par-five ninth. Talbott (Thorpe Hall) also recorded an eagle – his coming at the par-four fifth.
Levermore (Channels) has long been one of the finest players in the PGA in England (East) region and lies just two shots off the leading duo.
Everything is set, then, for a thrilling climax to the Weston Homes plc/Colchester GC Classic.
