N.H. golfer leads field; Spector tied for sixth

CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Waterville native Abigail Spector finished with a 10-over par 82 and in a three-way tie for sixth place after the first round of the New England Women’s Golf Association Championship Tuesday at Sugarloaf Golf Course.

Spector, who now attends the University of North Carolina, is the only Maine golfer among the top 10.

Kori Goulet of New Hampshire leads the 110-woman field with a 78.

Laura Shanahan of New Hampshire, Karen Richardson of Massachusetts and Marion McInerney of Massachusetts are all two strokes back at 80. Michele Miller of Massachusetts is fifth with an 81, followed by Spector, Louise Billy of New Hampshire and Colleen McDonnell of Massachusetts at 82.

Defending champion Natalie Galligan of Massachusetts fired an 85 and finished outside the top 10.

Play continues today, after which the field will be trimmed to 70 golfers. The final round is set for Thursday.