View 21 photos

MANCHESTER — Golfers had more than just the Augusta Country Club course to tackle during the first round of the Charlie’s Maine Open on Monday.

They also had to fight swirling winds and unseasonably cool temperatures, which were in the low 60s to start the day.

Three golfers managed to rise above the conditions. Jacob Sollon, of Venetia, Pennsylvania, made a charge in the late afternoon to shoot a 6-under 64 to take the first-round lead.

“I played pretty well,” said Sollon, who recently won the Pennsylvania Open title with a 7-under 203. “I kind of got some putts to go in early.”

Kevin Johnson of Bethesda, Maryland is in second place, one shot back of Sollon, and Nicholas Pandelena of Atkinson, New Hampshire, is two shots back.

“I had a couple of bogies that shouldn’t have happened, but that’s golf,” said Johnson, who earned his first pro win at the Abacoa May Classic in Jupiter, Florida in May. “Staying pretty level-headed out there (was key), it’s (a three-day tournament), so you can’t get too ahead of yourself.”

Added Pandelena, who was the co-runner up at the 2016 tournament: “I didn’t to come over for a practice round, so I was a little unsure of what the course was going to be like. But I know the course, so I at least knew where to play and where to hit (the ball).”

Fletcher Babcock of Danielson, Connecticut, is in fourth after shooting 3-under 67. Jimmy Jones, James Imai, William Celiberti and Ethan Whitney were tied for fifth at 2-under.

Sollon, a former Division I golfer for the University of Oregon, shot 4-under 31 on the front nine, with birdiest on No. 3-6 and No. 8. He bogeyed No. 9. He went 2-under on the back with three birdies and a bogey on No 17.

Sollon said his short game, particularly his putting, helped his strong start.

“I made 10-footer on (No. 3), a 30-footer on (No. 4) and I hit a pretty good wedge to about six feet (on No. 5) and I hit a close one on six as well. Those four in a row were nice. It was a good start through eight holes.”

Johnson shot a 2-under 33 on the front nine, with birdies on the fourth, fifth and sixth holes, and a bogey on No. 9. He went 3 under on the back, with four birdies and a bogey.

“It’s a nice start, definitely the way to start a golf tournament,” Johnson said. “Hopefully I can just repeat the next couple of days and we’ll be in a good spot.”

Pandelena shot a 1-under 34 on the front, with a birdie on No. 5, then birdied three holes (11, 13 and 18) on the back nine to shot 3-under.

“The putt I made on 13 to get to 3-under, that kept the momentum going,” Pandelena said. “(The hole) was playing tough today and to the wind. I used a 4-iron, and usually that’s a mid-iron. I made a reasonable length putt and that was good to keep the momentum going.”

Early groups were forced to play in the cooler temperatures with the swirling winds. Several golfers shot in the high 70s and low 80s.

“It was pretty cool this morning and my yardages (on shots) were off,” said defending champion Sean Bosdosh, who shot a 3-over 73. “You’ve got to be consistent with your yardages. My yardages were off and my feel was a little bit off. That made all the difference.”

Imai, of Davenport, Florida, said the wind was a factor, especially early in the round.

“I was hitting 8-irons from 135 (yards) … It’s something to pay attention to, but I think the wind is going to die down the rest of the week, at least I’m hoping for that,” Imai said.

Peter Wright of Saco had the lowest amateur score, shooting a 1-under 69. Jack Quinn, who is entering his senior year at Gardiner Area High School and will play for the University of Rhode Island next year, shot an even-par 70, the top score for junior players.

Freeport’s Eli Spaulding, who tied Quinn atop the amateur leaderboard last year, shot a 6-over 76. Manchester’s Mark Plummer, the 14-time Maine Amateur champion, shot a 4-over 74, the top score among senior players.