CAROL Helme produced a remarkable first round score of 152 to lead the eight qualifiers after the 36-hole Bolton Ladies Championship began at Bolton Golf Club on Monday.

The Old Links golfer, one of five former champions to have reached Thursday’s quarter-final matchplay stage, produced a brilliant first round score of gross 72, followed by 80 to lead clubmate Helen Braddock by an incredible 18 shots.

Defending champion Laura Johnson, also of Old Links, was one shot beheind.

In tomorrow’s quarter-finals, which begins at 9am, Helme will take on Clare McLeod (Harwood), Colleen Winstanley meets Grainne Pendlebury, Johnson faces Gemma Hunter and Karen Sawyer clashes with Braddock.

Qualifiers: Helme (Old Links) – 152, Braddock (Old Links) – 170,Johnson (Old Links) – 171, Pendlebury (Bolton) – 172, Winstanley (Bolton) – 173 cpo, Hunter (Breightmet) – 173, Sawyer (Old Links) – 177, McLeod (Harwood) – 182.

Best Gross: Carol Helme (Old Links) – 152. Best Nett Non-Qualifier: Helen Mosscrop (Regent Park) (15) – 189 Gross 159 Nett.

Bolton Ladies' Senior Championship: Rita Towler (Harwood) – 81, Hilary Hibbert (Turton) - 82, Christine Ogden (Great Lever & Farnworth) – 92 cpo, Selina McKenzie (Bolton) – 92.

Semi-Finals: 9.40 Rita Towler (Har) v Selina McKenzie (Btn), 9.50 Hilary Hibbert (Tur) v Christine Ogden (GL & F).