The sun rose on the first tee at Locust Hill Country Club on Wednesday, July 12, as 116 players prepared to tee off in the 2017 RDGA District Championship. The 72-hole Championship runs through Saturday, July 15.

A year ago, in the first round of the 2016 RDGA District Championship at Ridgemont Country Club, Ridgemont member Kevin Thornton posted a 1-under-par 71 - only to find himself 2 shots behind leader Jack Gianniny going into Round 2.

RDGA Official Jack Fox (center) issues instructions to the first group of the day to tee off in the first round of the 2017 RDGA District Championship.

Today, in the first round of the 2017 RDGA District Championship at Locust Hill Country Club, Thornton again posted a 1-under-par 71 - but this time, at least, he found himself with a share of the lead heading into Thursday's second round.   Thornton posted 6 birdies and five bogeys en route to his first round 71 on Wednesday, playing most of his round before the rest of the players in the group of morning tee times were called off the course for a 30-minute delay due to inclement weather.   Also shooting 71 on Wednesday was Irondequoit Country Club member Jeff March. March carded four birdies and three bogeys to complete his opening round at Locust Hill.

Five players are tied for third place at 73, two shots behind the leaders, heading into Thursday's second round, including Chris Blyth of Mendon Golf Club, Adam Condello of Locust Hill, Jason Schantz and Jim Mason of Oak Hill Country Club and Kevin Peters of Ridgemont.

Condello had one of the more adventurous rounds of the day, posting an eagle-3 on No. 8, and a triple-bogey 7 on No. 10, along with three birdies and three bogeys.   Four-time RDGA District Championship winner Jim Scorse of Stafford is among a group of five players tied for eighth place at 74.   Round 2 of the 2017 RDGA District Championship tees off on Thursday morning, with start times beginning at 7:30 am on Holes No. 1 & 10. Players who started on hole No.1 will begin on No. 10 on Thursday, and Those who began on No. 10 will begin on No. 1.

Players gather around the scoreboards at Locust Hill following Round 1 of the 2017 District Championship.

A special thanks to the Locust Hill Country Club General Manager John McCurdy, head PGA Professional Steve Barber, Greens Superintendent Rick Slattery, Clubhouse Manager Peter Rogers and the staff and members for their hospitality to the RDGA and District Championship competitors this week - including the traditional RDGA Past Champions Dinner in the club Tuesday evening.

Four-time RDGA Championship winner Jim Scorse tees off on No. 10 at Locust Hill during the first round of the 2017 RDGA District Championship on July 12.