Jen Holland of Branford and defending champion Kelly Whaley of Farmington both shot 3-over-par 76 to tie for the lead after the opening round of the 50th Connecticut Women’s Amateur Monday at Indian Hills Country Club in Newington.

Holland is a former champion and Whaley, who will begin her freshman year for the University of North Carolina women’s golf team in a matter of weeks, is seeking her fourth title. Nathalie Filler of Bloomfield and Catherine McEvoy of Bloomfield of Riverside both are tied for third with 78 and Nicole Elliott (Burlington) and Jean Sennett (West Hartford) are tied for fifth after posting 80s.

Madison residents Mackenzie Hawkes, the two-time Connecticut Women’s Golf Association champion, and Gabby Martin, who will be a junior at Hand High, are tied for ninth with 82.