Three-time winner in the 1990s, Robert Vallis, took the first step towards adding another Bermuda Amateur Strokeplay title to his collection when he opened with a three-over par 74 at windy Port Royal yesterday.

The Bermuda doctor, a scratch handicapper, finished the first round of the 72-hole tournament with a one stroke lead over his fellow Mid Ocean Club member Blake Marshall (75) with Michael Tavares and Colin Anderson, a further stroke back on 76.

And there were a host of other players who put themselves in contention with rounds in the 70s, including Quinton Sherlock jr., John Richardson, Eldon Raynor, Franklyn Furbert and American Baldoneck Fernandez, who all returned scores of 77.

However, defending champion Robert Spurling finds himself with a mountain to climb if he hopes to retain his crown, having finished the first round with a disappointing 12-over-par 83.

As for the expected charge by Bermuda's up and coming juniors, Ryan Mello fared best as he turned in a 78 while Chris Smith and Eric West recorded respectable scores of 79.

But two-handicapper Aaron James ballooned to an 85, three-handicapper Ryan Marshall suffered a 92, and Jarryd Dillas, who also plays off two, could manage only an 87.

Of the other local juniors in the field, Sergio Edness shot 85, Chris Brough 82, Scott Roy 83, Ted Terceira 84.

Second round of the tournament takes place today when the 54-hole women's championship will also get underway with Alisa Hardy defending her title.