Players predicted Northridge Country Club would be easier than Texarkana Country Club, and they were right.
Mike Smith, a 31-year-old former Adams Tour winner from Lafayette, La., took advantage of the shorter NCC layout Wednesday with a 6-under-par 65 during the first round of the Texarkana Children Charities Open for a one-shot lead.
Shreveport's Eric Ricard shot 66 at Northridge, while James Ross of Edinburgh, Texas, is currently third after posting a 4-under-par 68 at TCC.
Competitors swap courses today, with the low 46 and ties advancing to the final two rounds at
TCC.
"I would have to agree that Northridge is easier," Smith said. "I've struggled with my putter for the last couple of months, but I changed putters and just had an unbelievable day. I had three birdies (3, 4, 5) on the front, and they were all 10-15 foot putts.
"On the back nine I made putts from just about all over. I hit the ball decent, making a 30-footer for birdie at eleven. Then I made 30-footers at fourteen and fifteen."
Smith's 8-iron at the 185-yard 16th stopped six feet from the stick, and he converted for his third straight birdie.
His only bogey of the day came at the 430-yard seventh hole, where he found the fairway, only to see his wedge leave him with a treacherous downhill shot that he three-putted.
"I was one of the first players off today and the wind blew all day," Smith said. "It was definitely a factor. I think that's why you didn't see even lower scores at Northridge.
"Texarkana Country Club is a great course; I've got to keep the ball in the fairway to have chances at birdie. I think the key to playing Texarkana is taking advantage of the par-5s. The greens are really severe,
too."
Ricard could have easily had the round of the day, shooting 66 with four bogeys. He eagled the par-5 sixth hole, adding seven birdies.
San Antonio's Nick Flanagan shot 68 at Northridge, which shares fourth place with five other golfers. Four of those players recorded 69 at TCC, where par is 72, while par is 71 at Northridge.
Thirty-seven golfers shot under par Wednesday.
TCC pro Art Romero posted a 2-over 74 on his course in the first round, including a spectacular eagle at the par-5 seventh. His son, Sean, was betrayed by his putter and shot 75.
Former Texas High standout Grayson Jones is one of three amateurs in the event. He's tied for 68th with a 73.