James Lavender, Gordon Claney and Ian Frost share the lead after the first round of the Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Championship.
Victorian Lavender and Queenslander Frost completed their rounds at Spring Valley Golf Club on the Melbourne Sandbelt in the morning before steady rain settled in, while Victorian Claney contended with the more difficult afternoon conditions as each recorded a one-over-par 72.
It gives the trio a one-stroke lead from defending champion Greg Rhodes (Vic), Geoff Charnley (Vic), Michael Lucas (WA) and Robbie Berne (Tas).
Lavender, Claney and Frost all had a mixture of birdies and bogeys throughout their round.
“I missed one fairway all day, and played really solid,” Lavender said.
A group of six players, including former Geelong and Adelaide AFL player Bruce Lindner (SA) share 8th place, two shots adrift after returning 74s.
Round two will be played tomorrow, with the third and final round on Thursday.