CARLSBAD, California (January 3, 2015) -- It's no secret that AmateurGolf.com loves Aviara, the Arnold Palmer layout that is part of the beautiful Park Hyatt Resort.

So it only makes sense that we kick off our tournament season here. And what a wonderful day and beautiful conditions we were treated to.

Forbes Collins took full advantage of the conditions, posting a 3-under round that was solid all the way around, and helped by two long putts from off the green that led to back-to-back birdies on Nos. 16 and 17. Had he birdied the 18th (he just missed) Collins would have achieved the rare trifecta of birdieing the final three holes at Aviara. (18 may be the toughest finishing hole in the state.)

Blake Barens (Santa Barbara) is just two strokes back at 71; Kevin Cline (Spring Valley) and Perry Cohen (La Jolla) posted solid rounds of even par 72. Shirish Dwivedi had a dream nine on the front with a 4-under 32, but the par threes caught up with him on the back and he had to settle for a 43 and round of 75.

In the Senior Division, Rick Doebler of Fullerton fashioned a fine 71 to take the lead. Rich McDaniel stands at 4-under 68 (net) to lead the net flight.

Haley Andreas of Pacific Grove paced the women's division with a solid 76. And listen to how she played the four hole stretch starting at No. 5 -- birdie, par, birdie, eagle. Nice going!

Tomorrow's round is an 8:30am shotgun.