The Tree Farm seized early control of the 71st Bermuda Goodwill Golf Tournament during yesterday’s opening round of the longest running pro-am worldwide.

The South Carolina team comprised of professional Drew King, David Margolis, John Shimp and Ivan Blinoff shot a 14-under 56 at Belmont Hills Golf Club to carve out a one-shot lead.

Tied for second at 13 under are Rhode Island Country Club and Connecticut Golf Club 2, while Black Diamond Ranch and Bermuda’s Mid Ocean Club A are tied for fourth a further shot off the lead.

Sleepy Hollow Country Club and Golf Club of New England are tied for sixth at 11 under while Bermuda’s Port Royal Golf Course 2 are among a bunch of teams, including defending champions Jupiter Country Club. tied at 10 under.

“We are all excited to be back at the Goodwill to defend,” Jupiter Country Club professional Spencer Mellon told The Royal Gazette.

“The opportunity to play these courses for a few days in this beautiful place is in itself worth the trip, but to be able to defend last year’s win makes it more special.

“We have a great team dynamic, a lot of good golf and even more laughs.”

The Florida-based club have retained the same team that won last year’s 54-hole pro-am event by four shots over Port Royal Golf Club B which also includes Peter Cook, David Dart and Mike Bloom.

Connecticut Golf Club 2’s Peter Ballo and the Tree Farm’s King are tied at the top of the professional stableford leaderboard with 25 points.

Metropolis Country Club’s Craig Thomas is alone in third with 22 points while Bermuda’s Camiko Smith is in a three-way tie for fourth with 21.

Also among the early contenders in the professional stableford points are local trio Dwayne Pearman, Ryan Roberts and Nick Jones.

Pearman, who is representing overseas team Seawatch Golf Club and Mid Ocean Club 1’s Roberts are in a four-way tie for seventh with 20 points. Jones, who is representing Port Royal Golf Course 2, is among five players tied for eleventh with 19 points.

A total of 70 teams are competing in the tournament which is being co-hosted by Port Royal Golf Course and Mid Ocean Club.