Department of Tourism, got underway at St. George's Golf Club yesterday with 60 participants, 47 of them from overseas.

The strong winds and scattered showers did not prevent former champions Joan and Charlie Hartnett of Winchester, Massachusetts, from taking a three-stroke lead in the net division after their 12-under-par 50.

Second on 53 are Hugh and Renate Rodgers of Ontario, Canada, along with Deputy Governor Peter and Meg Willis.

The gross division is led by Steve and Beth Bassett from Andover, Massachusetts who fired a three-over-par 65. Three strokes back on 69 are Ed Wescott and Janet Bruce from Black Diamond Ranch, Florida and Dr Robert and Tucker Crawford of High Point, North Carolina.

Play continues today at Port Royal at 8.30 a.m.