An icy start with The National

The national GC – Moonah course

The 2019 edition and 10th anniversary of the National Senior Masters Championship started this morning, when 195 senior golfers from all over the country found their way to the par 72 Moonah layout of The National Golf Club designed by Greg Norman.

Three past champions in Tham Chin (The National), Ian Frost (Arundel Hills) and John Wheeler (The National) split it up in the hope of adding another green jacket to their collection.

A total of 110 golf clubs were represented, including various international clubs and at least one of all Australian states and territories.

The morning field went off this morning at 7:30 am and tackled difficult circumstances while wind and rain interfered, something that was rarely observed in the history of this event.

John Mihajevic (Royal Canberra) delivered the best score in the morning with 74, marked by back-to-back birdies through holes 14 and 15.

The gloomy conditions persisted during the afternoon and the strong wind made it difficult to score.

David Edwards (Pennant Hills) and defending champion Ian Frost (Arundel Hills) tackled the circumstances best and started a round of 74 to make a three-way tie on top of the rankings at the end of the first round

In the net championship, Ocean Shores (NSW) member Peter Moyle set the pace with a brilliant opening round of net 68 from a daily handicap of 9.

Moyle belongs to a select group of players who have played in this event every year since its launch in 2010.

Trailing Moyle of two are David Edwards (Pennant Hills) and Paul Beard (Launceston).

The second round game will be relocated tomorrow to the famous Robert Trent Jones Jnr Old Course, while the field continues until halfway through this year's championship

With a fine and still a day on the prediction, is a possibility for players to go too low on the cards.

Click here to view championships leaderboards.