Former champions Sam Marley and James Richardson of South Suburban Golf Course shot a bogey-free 8-under-par 63 on Friday to share the lead after the opening round of the CGA Four-Ball Championship at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora.
Also starting with 63s were 2009 champion Alex Buecking and teammate Sean Crowley from Columbine Country Club, and Colorado State University teammates Jake Staiano (from Glenmoor Country Club) and Blake Cannon.
There were also four 64s in the scratch better-ball stroke-play event that will continue through Sunday: 2016 CGA Parent/Child champions Ray and Jimmy Makloski from Pueblo Country Club; 2015 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball teammates Andrew Tapia of The Ridge at Castle Pines North and Jeff Chapman of Inverness Golf Club; John Hayes of CommonGround Golf Course and Dallas Massey of South Suburban; and Calum White and Scott Crawford of Murphy Creek Golf Course, who made two eagles on Friday (both by Crawford), including one at the 355-yard, par-4 eighth hole.
In all, 11 teams shot 65 or lower on Friday.
Marley, a University of Northern Colorado golfer, and Richardson, the 2015 champions, reeled off five consecutive birdies in the middle of their round and eight overall. (The two are pictured, with Marley in black.)
Buecking, a quarterfinalist in the 2016 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball with Jason Enloe, and Crowley also chalked up eight birdies in a bogey-free day.
Staiano, who will play as an individual for CSU in the NCAA Regionals later this month, and Cannon finished with nine birdies and a bogey on the par-3 12th hole.
For the scores from the CGA Four-Ball, CLICK HERE.
