Rick Cloninger grabs early lead at Chanticleer National Senior

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Prominent Carolinas golfer Rick Cloninger posted 68 on day one of the Chanticleer National Senior Invitational to grab an early one-shot lead. Cloninger, of Fort Mill, S.C., won the event in 2013. Only four players were under par on Wednesday, with Bob Levy and Michael Wooles sitting one shot back at 69 and Michael Bodney three back at 71. Defending champion Steve Sharpe is tied for fifth place after shooting even-par 72 in the first round. Another notable player in the field is recent Lupton Senior winner Michael Mercier, who opened with 75. The 54-hole tournament was started in 2011 and is hosted at Greenville Country Club's Chanticleer Course, which is a Rees Jones design.