Mike Hayes putts on the fifth green during the opening round of the 61st Annual Member-Guest Tournament Thursday afternoon. Hayes and his partner Bryan Boyer are currently tied for sixth after shooting a 1-under-par (70). Ryan Johnson and teammate Nicholas Barney lead the field at 6-under (64). Play continues today and the final round is on Satuday. (Evening Sun Photo, Meagan Schulz)

NORWICH – Pin placement was the chatter of the course as the morning group of teams came off the course following their first 18 holes at the Canasawacta Country Club’s 61st Member-Guest Tournament. As the scorecards were turned in, only two from morning session were below the course 71-par.

By the end of the round, a total of seven teams shot under the par score with Ryan Johnson and partner Nicholas Barney coming out as the current leaders with a 64 (-6).

Sitting just one stroke back are Matt Burrell and Craig Dawson with a 65 (-5). Currently in third on the leaderboard are the defending champions Bryan Smith and Brian Loomis after shooting an opening round 68 (-3).

Leaders Johnson and Barney turned in a scorecard with 10 birdies and an eagle, scoring on 11 of their first 18 holes played for the tournament.

“We started off a little rough,” said Johnson. “We were 1-under [par] after five holes played but then we were able to string together a few birdies and put together a good end of the round.”

Johnson and Barney started play out on the eighth hole of the course of the morning group. Their streak of scoring started at the 13th with a birdie.