The Selma Country Club Championship kicked off Saturday in beautiful weather, as cloud-covered skies kept temperatures in the 70’s and gave players perfect conditions to post a low score in round one.

Will Pearce leads with a low gross score of 69, after a day where he said he putted really well.

“I played really well. I hit the ball good and I made putts when I needed,” Pearce said, before joking that a “rain out” is what he needs to win the tournament.

With the forecast not looking particularly promising for Sunday, those behind Pearce hope to get a chance to apply pressure.

Paul Garner, five-time winner of the Selma Country Club Championship, shot 70 and is only one shot behind.

“You’ve got to play within yourself. I’m just happy to be here. I’m just hoping to help my team. This is really a team event. The individual score is secondary,” Garner said, adding that he plans to joke around and have fun as much Sunday as he did during Saturday’s impressive round.

Beau Boyd is another shot back after a 71. Boyd is looking for a better performance on the greens Sunday.

“When I need to two-putt, [just] two-putt,” Beau said, referencing what he may need to do differently to close the deal on Sunday. “Today I tried to make too many [putts] and ran them by. I didn’t putt well today. I hit it very well [though].”

Nick Horne has the low net score after a 65, followed by Kory Taylor who shot 67. A trio of Ken Morrison, Kent Taylor and Andy Hewitt followed close behind with a 69.

“There is really not a strategy other than go out there tomorrow, calm your nerves down as best as possible, and say to yourself ‘Hit the golf ball the way Tommy Burns has taught you to hit the golf ball,’” Horne said.

Horne said Burns, the PGA professional with the Selma Country Club, has taught him everything he knows about golf.

Horne and teammate Heath Harrelson shot a net of 59 and lead the team competition by one shot over David Pearce and Kent Taylor.

“Hopefully, come out tomorrow, play good golf, slow my swing down and if Heath and I can have another good day, maybe we can win this thing,” Horne said.

Burns said scores were a little higher than he expected due to the all the rain the golf course has had throughout the week, which made it play longer than normal.

Despite the tough conditions, many players referenced how great of shape the golf course was in.

Sammi Park shot 83 and leads the Ladies Club Championship after round one.

Gus Colvin leads the 10, 11, and 12-year-old boys standings by five shots after an 85. Sam Garner shot 59 and leads the 7-and-under gross total for the boys. Hanna Lightfoot and Maggie Youngblood lead the girls 11-and-under division after shooting 69. Allen Lightfoot leads the 8 and 9-year-old boys after a first round 77.