Andrade, Alfredsson combine for 6-under 65 to lead 1st round of Charity Classic

Andrade, Alfredsson lead Charity Classic

BARRINGTON, R.I. — Rhode Island native Billy Andrade is accustomed to playing golf in less-than-ideal conditions.

But steady rain and gusty winds made Monday’s first round of the CVS Caremark Charity Classic at Rhode Island Country Club more challenging than usual.

“Being from Rhode Island, the weather changes every 10 minutes,” Andrade said after combining with Helen Alfredsson to shoot 6-under 65 for the lead. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Rhode Island Country Club play as hard as it did today … maybe when I was in ninth or 10th grade playing in the fall.

“It was pretty miserable. If you start worrying about all the things that can go wrong, then you’re not going to be a happy person. You can complain about the weather and it doesn’t do any good,” Andrade said.

Andrade and Alfredsson had six birdies and 12 pars in the best-ball format. Andrade birdied the 401-yard, par-4 16th hole that gave his team the lead, which it protected with pars on 17 and 18.

Andrade has co-hosted the tournament since its inception in 1999 and never has finished better than second.

Three teams are tied for second. Shooting 5-under 66 were Brittany Lincicome and Brad Adamonis, Brett Quigley and Dana Quigley and Boo Weekley and Chad Campbell.

Adamonis, who’s from Cumberland, R.I., not only handled the weather but also a bout of vertigo.

“I felt like I was starting to get wobbly on the first hole and it was pretty scary,” Adamonis said. “You never know when it’s going to happen. Fortunately, it goes away after about three minutes.”

He birdied the 17th and 18th holes to give his team an early lead.