Dale Williamson drove to the top of the leaderboard at the Gippsland BMW Warragul Pro-Am and for his efforts will cruise around the rest of the Gippsland swing in a luxury BMW thanks to the naming sponsor.

The Gippsland swing of the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series teed off at Warragul Country Club with a field jam-packed with ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia stars as they prepare for the Vic Open, the first event of the season.

While Simon Hawkes, Ben Eccles, James Nitties, Daniel Fox and Ashley Hall were all fine-tuning their games it was Dale Williamson who emerged victorious thanks to a course record 7-under 64.

Playing in the morning field, Williamson enjoyed the reprieve from the sweltering conditions the day prior setting the number to beat with West Australian Brady Watt sitting one shot further back on 6-under 65.

As Williamson relaxed in the clubhouse, none of the afternoon players were able to catch him with Christopher Wood the best of that wave on 5-under 66.

“It was my driver today, I just hit it nearly every hole and it worked well,” said Williamson who got off to a fast start making birdie on his opening two holes.

While he collected the winner’s cheque, Williamson was also offered his choice of BMW to drive for the remainder of the Gippsland swing thanks to Gippsland BMW.

“What a great bonus for winning, I’m not sure which one I’ll pick but I better go out and have a look I suppose.”

Joining in the fun were a number of female professionals who, while still playing in the main competition alongside the men, were also competing for a separate Baw Baw Shire female prize purse.

Felicity Johnson of England, who is also preparing for her tilt at the Women’s Vic Open, fired 2-under the card to be tied 17^th overall but claimed top females honours as she beat out Grace Lennon by one stroke.

“What a great course, it reminds me a lot of the course back home, just more hills,” said Johnson.

“Thanks to Baw Baw Shire for coming out in support of female professionals and female participation in sport in the local area.

“I loved the day and I had heaps of fun with my team, so it has been great.”