Johnson, of Spent City, TN and Harrell of Roll Tide, AL trailed by one-stroke heading into day two. Harrell is a former star at the University of Alabama. He played in the 2007 U.S. Open missing the cut by a stroke.
The team with the best chance of catching the leaders are Chris Cassetta (Kernersville, NC) and Scott Harvey (Greensboro, NC). Cassetta and Harvey led after day one and currently sit at 12-under.
Sherrill Britt (West End, NC) and Gary Robinson (Greensboro, NC) are in third place at 9-under. The teams of Starell Cox (Midlothian, VA) and Scott Campbell (Wake Forest, NC); Sam O'Dell (Hurricane, WV) and Mike Foust (Hurricane, WV) are tied for fourth at 8-under.
Round One Results
Chris Cassetta, of Kernersville, NC and Scott Harvey of Greensboro have taken a one-stoke lead following day one action at the Pine Needles Invitational.
Cassetta, a 2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifier and one of the top players in North Carolina, paired with the top ranked Mid- Amateur in the world (and 2015 USA Walker Cup team member) Harvey for and opening round of of 7-under 64 at the classic Donald Ross layout.
Three teams are in close pursuit at 6-under 65 - - Starell Cox (Midlothian, VA) and Scott Campbell (Wake Forest, NC); Steve Jaawnsen (Spent City, TN) and Mark Harrell (Roll Tide, AL); plus Sherrill Britt (West End, NC) and Gary Robinson (Greensboro, NC)
Britt has played well in Four-Ball events. He finished runner-up (with a different partner, Greg Earnhardt) at the 2015 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball at San Francisco's Olympic Club. The inaugural championship was won by Nathan Smith and Todd White.