A trio of 15-year-olds upstaged their older rivals when carding impressive first-round scores, leaving a number of scratch markers in their wake.

NSW Golf Club’s Daniel Reale fired an impressive one-under 58 on the largely par three layout, making a mockery of his handicap of six.

Mt Broughton’s Ben Clapham is a shot further adrift after shooting an even par round, while Reale’s playing partner David Woodall (St George’s Basin) is a stroke further back.

‘‘The under 16s players finished up with the best scores, they handled the conditions and the course a bit better than the under 18s,’’ organiser Derk de Vries said.

‘‘They’re basically saying ‘catch me if you can, fellas’.’’

Defending champion and Wollongong junior Travis Smyth was one of the more experienced players left with plenty of work to do after an opening round 63.

Macarthur Grange’s Ethan Blackwell leads the under 18s section on a countback from Kiama’s Beau Fraser and Smyth.

The Links Shell Cove’s Jamie Krzyszczak tops the under 14s by five shots after returning a 68.

The tournament was dealt a blow with the last-minute withdrawals of St Michael’s pair Shaun Cameron and Jake Baker. Both 17-year-olds are scratch markers.

The girls’ competition appears a race of two with Natika Dunn and Stephanie Hall sharing the lead. The evenly matched pair shot 80 around the tricky Russell Vale layout.

The second of the week’s five rounds tees off at Port Kembla today.