Ken Tarling jumped out to an early lead at the Mr. Lube PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada presented by Adams Golf after a bogey free round of 5-under-par 65.
Tarling, who captured the 2011 PGA Seniors’ Championship, holds a narrow one-shot advantage over an impressive cast of golfers including two-time defending champion Jim Rutledge, former European Senior’s Tour player David Wetfflaufer and newly-turned 50-year-old Remi Bouchard.
“Luckily for me it was a pretty clean round of golf out there today because I hit a lot of fairways and greens,” Tarling said of his first round at Beverly Golf & Country Club. “This is just a fantastic golf course and it’s in wonderful shape.”
Located in Copetown, Ont., Beverly Golf & Country Club is a classically designed Robbie Robinson gem and is often referred to as one of the best secrets in Canada golf. At more than 6,500 yards, the par-70 layout features angled greens, traditional bunkering and large mature trees.
This year’s PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada is contested over 36-holes, where as in past years it has been played over 54-holes. Rutledge, who has won this championship in 2010, 2012 and 2013, says it’s important to get off to a solid start.
“It’s more like a sprint out there this year, so you try and play very aggressively,” Rutledge said. ”
Jean LaForce, Don Graham, David Miller and Marc Girouard round out the top five after rounds of 3-under-par 67.
In total, 17 players are within five shots of the lead heading into Thursday’s final 18-holes at Beverly Golf & Country Club.
For the full leaderboard, click here.
Graham leads the Super-Senior division (60 years and older) by three shots over Daniel Talbot and Gar Hamilton. Two-time Super-Senior champion Norm Jarvis sits six shots off the pace
Attendance to the Mr. Lube PGA Seniors’ Championship of Canada presented by Adams Golf is free and spectators are encouraged to attend during tournament play.