Smiling start for Howe '00 champ in hunt for title again By RANDY HOLLIS Standard-Examiner staff SOUTH OGDEN - Tenille Howe had just three-putted for a bogey on the 18th hole in Monday's opening round of the annual Utah State Women's Amateur golf championship at the Ogden Golf and Country Club. She missed a short putt that would've saved her par and, for many golfers, it would've been cause for great frustration, aggravation and terrible gnashing of teeth. But Howe was still flashing that million-dollar smile of hers. "I wasn't planning on that three-putt at the end, but I scrambled OK," Howe, the 2000 Utah Women's Amateur champion, said after shooting a 1-over-par 75. "I wasn't hitting the ball that great today, but I was able to make some birdies and save some pars and had a good time." She trails first-round leader Annie Thurman by two shots entering today's second round of the 54-hole tournament. Thurman, winner of this year's U.S. Public Links Championship, shot a 1-under 73, while three-time Utah Women's Amateur champ Lachelle Poffenberger was one shot back at even-par 74, followed by Howe at 75 and defending champion Natalie Newren with a 76. Laura Miner and Sue Ny-hus were next in line in the championship flight, tied at 77, followed by Jessica Gardner and Terry Hansen at 78, with Wallace Hamerton and Carrie Summerhays at 79. "There are so many opportunities for birdie out there, especially on the par 5s," said Howe, a former Weber State BRIAN NICHOLSON/Standard-Examiner Former Weber State star Tenille Howe drops her club after teeing off on the 13th hole during Monday's first round of the Utah State Women's Amateur at the Ogden Golf and Country Club. July 30,2002 ________131