Verona, ON- Brittany Marchand of Orangeville claimed a two-stroke lead following first round play at the Investors Group Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship on Tuesday at Rivendell Golf Club in Verona, Ontario.

Marchand, 18, was the only player to break par on the day under sweltering conditions at the Kingston area course.

The Brampton Golf Club member delivered a solid debut at the 2010 championship, carding four birdies against a pair of bogeys to close out with a two-under par 69.

The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) High Performance Team member is looking for her second provincial championship after winning the Ontario Women’s Champion of Champions title in 2008.

Two golfers delivered identical even-par 71’s to share second place; Markham’s Vivian Tsui and local favourite Augusta James of Bath, Ontario.

Tsui’s round was more even-keeled than James’ who traded birdies and bogeys throughout the day to card five of each. Both golfers are certainly within striking distance with two rounds still left to play.

Haley Brown of Newmarket and Barrie’s Jacqueline Yanch are currently tied for fourth place a stroke behind Tsui and James. Recent Toronto Star Women’s Amateur champion Brogan Mckinnon of Mississauga is in sixth place alongside Peterborough’s Katlyn Elliott at 73, two-over par.

The Investors Group Ontario Junior Girls’ Championship features Ontario’s best female junior golfers. Second round action tees off at 7:30 am on Wednesday, with the 2010 champion set to be crowned on Thursday.

A number of other area golfers are also competing in this event as well.

Laura Moutrey from Shelburne finds herself in a three way tie for 8th with a four over score of 75 while Orangeville's Stephanie Tucker who golfs out of the Shelburne Golf and Country Club sits alone back in 15th after a seven over round with her score of 78.

Meredith Fairbairn and Katie Reid, both from Orangeville as well are tied 11 over for 24th place at 82 while Cadence Helmann and Kaitlyn Stewart - both from Shelburne, round out the local contingent heading into the second round with totals of 93 and 96 respectively.

Full scoring and leader board can be found at www.gao.ca