Co-leaders Anthony Quayle (left)
and David Kocher fired 65

The historic event is played at the 6713-yard, Par 70 Palmetto Golf Club -- which is no pushover. But these are some of the best players in the U.S. (and one from Australia) so the scores are, as you would expect, very good.

Anthony Quayle of Gold Coast, Australia posted 5-under 65 to stand tied at the top with David Kocher of North Carolina. Kocher just finished his freshman year at University of Maryland, and had a nice finish at the Big 10 Championship, where he tied for third as an individual.

Defending champion Emmanuel Kountakis opened with an even-par 70.

ABOUT THE PALMETTO AMATEUR

The Palmetto Amateur was founded in 1976 by Dr. Berry Crain, Jr. and Skipper Perry. Gene McClure, a USGA rules official, longtime Palmetto member and past Executive Committee member, spoke to players on the eve of the 2015 tournament, the first one to be played without Crain (who passed away in early 2015) at the helm.

The 2015 champion will be the first to lift a new piece of hardware at Palmetto – the Berry Crain, Jr. Memorial Trophy, a sterling silver cup in memory of Dr. Crain.

Said McClure:

“It came from England as a memorial, and now it is a memorial to the great Berry Crain and to the strength of this golf championship that he and my good friend Skipper Perry created 40 years ago,” said McClure. “Berry Crain did so much for Palmetto Golf Club.”