East Chapel Hill alum Kerri Dice has earned a share of the lead in the first round of the CGA's 63rd North Carolina Women's State Amateur Championship at Mimosa Hills Country Club in Morganton
Dice and Courtney McKim of Raleigh both fired a one-under-par round of 71 Tuesday to take the lead by one stroke over Pat Brogden of Garner and Stephanie Pribonic of Wake Forest.
Defending champion Katherine Perry of Cary, a recent qualifier for the U.S. Women’s Open Championship in July, is currently tied in eight place.
Dice played on the varsity team at East Chapel Hill and then at Appalachian State, where she graduated last year with a bachelor of science degree in business administration.
McKim, who is a member of the University of Alabama Women's Golf Team, hit all 18 greens in regulation Tuesday.
"I don't think I have ever hit all 18 greens in a round in my whole life," McKim said.
Brogden was two under at one point in her round but two bogeys brought her back to an even par round of 72. She still leads of the senior division by three shots over Patty Moore of Charlotte and Peg Brady of Stanley.
In the State Tee division, Carole Jones of Hillsborough shot a two-over 74 to take the lead by one stroke over Dianne Yelovich of Pinehurst. Jones also leads the Super Senior division, which plays a shorter course.
Play continues Wednesday at Mimosa Hills.
Elliott Warnock writes for The Chapel Hill News and The Durham News. He can be reached at