Beautiful weather greeted the field of 111 Trainees today at the Tocumwal Golf and Bowls Club for the 1^st round of the 2019 Vic/Tas/SA Trainee Championships. Clear skies and only a slight breeze meant low scores were expected and the players did not disappoint around the President’s course.

Dale Crothers, a Year 1 trainee based at the Yarrawonga & Mulwala Golf Club Resort, shot a 6-under 66 to lead by one stroke. Starting from the 1st tee, Crothers was 4-under par through seven holes before his lone bogey on the par-3 8th hole. Crothers then birdied the 11^th, 13^th and 17^th holes to finish off a great days work. In describing his round Crothers said, “I hit the ball well today, particularly the driver which gave me a lot of birdie opportunities. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

In second place is Mitch Gannon, a Year 2 Trainee based at the Kogarah Golf Club in New South Wales. His 5-under 67 included six birdies and one solitary bogey as he attempts to go one better than his runner-up finish here in 2018.

Three players sit tied for sixth place after opening with a 1-under 71. This group includes Brayden Peterson (Asquith, NSW), Neville Hogan (Tambourine Mountain, Qld) and Mitchell Hall (Rosanna, Vic).

Earlier in the week the PGA Trainees hosted a Junior Clinic for local primary schools. A total of 115 children from six Primary Schools enjoyed over 1.5 hours of tuition learning the basic skills of golf in fun and interactive games.

Also on Monday was the Championship Pro-Am which saw 150 players consisting of Club & Tournament sponsors join the trainees for the Ambrose event on another beautiful day. Later that evening the Golf Club hosted the welcome dinner for the all players in the Championship plus sponsors, members & guests. The gathering was treated to a wonderful evening in which the club and the Berrigan Shire announced contract extensions which will keep the tournament in Tocumwal for a further five years.

The second round will be played on the Captains course with play beginning from 7.45am. The forecast is for the sun to keep shining but the wind is expected to get up overnight and into tomorrow.