snatching the first round lead at the inaugural Island Construction PGA Senior Classic at St. George's GC yesterday.

The former Bermuda Open champion opened with birdies at the first and third holes, before consecutive bogeys at five, six and seven set him back as he made the turn in one over 31.

However, the Port Royal club pro relaunched the attack with birdies at 12 and 13 to go one under before yet another bogey at 18 left him on 63 for the day.

Trailing Rabain are Keith Smith (65) and Eardley Jones (66), both experienced campaigners.

Meanwhile, Douglas (Blip) Morris rebounded from a triple bogey on the fourth hole to shoot a fine round of 67 to share the amateur lead with fellow former cricketing great Eldon Raynor.

Lurking a stroke back at 68 is Carlton Welch, with former `Mr. Bermuda' Nolan Crane at 71. Play continues through Sunday.

BROMBY KEPT WAITING SLG Bromby kept waiting Peter Bromby and Lee White will have to return to Chesapeake Bay today in an effort to snatch a high placing at the Nautica Star World Championships and qualify for the Sydney Olympics.

Yesterday's race -- the sixth and final race -- in the waters off Annapolis, Maryland, was abandoned by the host Annapolis Yacht Club race committee in the face of radically shifting and painfully light breezes.

The race was underway when the decision was made, with the bulk of the fleet on the third leg of the five-leg contest. Torben Grael and Marcelo Ferreia of Brazil were leading followed by Mark Reynolds and Kai Bjorn.

Bromby and White are in need of a strong finish in the final outing as they seek a top six berth among the countries not having already qualified for the Olympics.