Ron Johnson of Walnut Creek was one of three players to fire a first round 74 on Monday at Valley Hi CC.Johnson of Walnut Creek, the first to post, carded his 74 by making two birdies and four bogeys. The 67-year-old got off to a slow start on his day, bogeying three of his first seven holes (Nos. 11, 14 and 16). However, after making his fourth bogey on the par-4 second, Johnson finally posted a birdie on his card on No. 3. He then followed that with five straight pars before closing with a birdie on the par-4 ninth.

“Basically the difference [on the last seven holes] was just getting the ball on the clubface and hitting more fairways and greens,” said Johnson, who estimated that he only two greens in his first nine holes.

Stewart of Fairfax was the next to post and he fired his 74 by converting four birdies to go along with six bogeys. The most interesting part of his round came during Nos. 9-14 where he went bogey-birdie-bogey-birdie-bogey-birdie. Stewart credited his birdies by making two 12-foot putts on Nos. 10 and 12, while draining a 20-footer on No. 14. As for the bogeys the 69-year-old said his troubles were simply just missing the green and failing to get up-and-down. His other birdie came on par-4 first, while his three other bogeys occurred on Nos. 3, 16 and 18.

“I drove the ball extremely well [today], I don’t think I missed but a fairway or two. That really set me up on most of the holes,” said Stewart. “If you can hit it in the fairway and make a few putts that’s the key [to success].”

Olds, the third co-leader and last to post a 74, scored his round by also making two birdies and four bogeys, similar to Johnson. However, the 73-year-old had his birdies bookend his non-par holes converting them on Nos. 1 and 15, while taking bogeys on Nos. 8, 9, 10 and 13. Olds, who happens to be rooming with Stewart for the event, actually posted his round with opposite success than his roommate as he struggled with his driver on Monday, but exceled with his chipping and putting.

“I’d like to drive the ball better tomorrow,” said Olds.

The three co-leaders will battle it out on Tuesday, teeing off in the final group off the No. 1 tee at 9:33 a.m. Just in front of them and teeing off at 9:24 a.m. in a three-way tie for fourth place at 4-over-par, each posting rounds of 76 on Monday are Jeff Early, Bob Rowland and Rich Paiko. Defending champion Rob Thompson is currently in a tie for 39th place at 11-over-par after an opening round 83.

View results for NCGA Super Senior