HIS score reflected his age, but Blake Windred could still smile after a tough first round at the NSW Open at Newcastle Golf Club yesterday.

The 13-year-old Cardiff High schoolboy shot a 13-over 83 in the rain in his first professional tournament but he had a ball and his score was not the worst of the day. Windred finished ahead of Avondale's 15-year-old Harrison Endycott, who shot a 16-over 86.

Endycott had defeated Windred in a six-way, seven-hole play-off in a qualifying event at Charlestown on Monday and both were drafted from the list of alternates to be included in the tournament field.

Teeing off at 7.55am with professionals Mahal Pearce (New Zealand) and Tony McNaughton (Victoria), Windred was 11 over through 11 holes, making par at the sixth, eighth and 12th. He fared better on the final six holes, making four pars and two bogeys to sign for an 83.

''I would have hoped to have a little bit better score but I'll take it for my first pro event,'' Windred said. ''I had a few pars, so [today] I'll go birdie-hunting and try to play better.''

Windred had father Shane on his bag and was followed by a gallery of onlookers including mother Sandra. ''He's not the sort of kid to drop his bundle,'' Shane said. ''He's taken everything in his stride and will be better for the experience. We're so proud of him.''