Reigning club and Wimmera champion Tim Coffey set the scene to claim his fourth straight club championship in round one, breaking the course record with a six under par, 65.

Coffey broke his own record for the title, having previously shot 66.

“We went back through the records some time ago and ratified that his 66 was a course record, which he has now beaten,” Stawell Golf Club men’s captain Richard Hackwill said.

“In the process he has set himself up in a great position to win another championships.”

Hackwill said having a player of the calibre of Coffey is great for the club.

“It makes people strive to be better. He played with our next lowest handicapper and his comments after the round were it was a pleasure to watch.”

Coffey also claimed the November monthly medal with four birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round.

Josh Kelly is placed second in the overall championships after round one, shooting 76 off the stick, 11 behind Coffey.

Jason O’Hayon is one behind Kelly on 11.

The leaderboard looks much the same for the A grade handicap division, with Coffey (+1) four shots ahead of Kelly (6).

Sean Rodwell is leading the B Grade scratch division with a score of 83. Hot on his heels is Joe Dunn and Trevor Taggart, equal second on 84.

Handicap leader for B Grade is Jeff Cameron with a nett score of 69, one in front of Taggart and three in front of Craig Greenhalgh.

C Grade players will be chasing scratch leader, Jakob Davis, who shot 89.

Ken Reid, is equal to Davis and leading the handicap division by two from Greg Clode.

Coffey won the overall event last year by a clear 25 shots. Seeded groups will be announced before the next round. 

The competition will continue with round two played on Saturday and the event will conclude on Sunday after round three.