Twenty-nine mid-amateur teams and twenty-six senior teams from around the country teed off at Castle Pines playing four-ball stroke play.
Eoin Middaugh, who won the event in 2015 with Taylor Wood, teamed up with new partner Sean Lim to shoot a six-under 66 and share the first round lead. They were joined by the teams of Jack Larkin/Brendan Williams and Jim Strickland/Mike Wagner. Larkin is a former Charlie Coe champion, having won in 2005 with partner Jim Ireland. Strickland is a four-time champion with former partner Warren Vickers.
The defending champions Jonathan Marsico and Ben Hayes sit tied for fourth after a 69.
Among other former champions, the team of Ted Neville and Andy Latowski (winners in 2014) shot a 71, Tripp Kuhlke and Jeff Knox (2013) shot 70, Jason Pool and Barry Dyche (2012) shot 70.
In the Senior Division, Hollis Sullivan and Jeff Dillard combined to shoot a five-under 67, one shot ahead of four teams: Mike Booker/Pat Youngs, John Bracken/Ronny Ocker, Ernie Danner/Herb Fisher, and Mike Rice/Jerry Hudgins.
The Charlie Coe Invitational, honoring one of golf's greatest amateurs, is the first Major Four-Ball of the summer amateur golf season.