Allen Barber is enjoying Kanawaki Golf Club so far at the Canadian Senior
(Kanawaki Golf Club photo)

Barber was the lone competitor to break par (70) at Kanawaki on Monday. Following his round, he credited his strategy for tackling Kanawaki’s treacherous greens and some solid putting for the stellar start.

“The golf course is really, really good. One of the best I’ve played and it’s in pristine shape,” said Barber. “But those greens are really tough. My plan for the day was to hit fairways and leave it below the hole. I did that and thankfully I putted well on those greens, too.”

Barber has been enjoying a great summer of competitive amateur golf. He’s amassed four top-5 finishes including a T4 at the prestigious Senior Porter Cup.

Four players trail Barber after carding even-par 70s. Buzz Fly of Memphis, Brady Exber of Las Vegas, Doug Hanzel of Savannah, GA and Lance Lundy of Pemberton, B.C., all share second heading into Tuesday’s round.

Lundy leads the Super Senior (65 years +) Division by a single-shot over 2010 Canadian Senior Champion Paul Simson of Raleigh, N.C., after a 71. Another shot back is Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Graham Cooke. The Hudson, Que., native, who celebrated his 71st birthday Monday, shot a 2-over 72. Cooke is a four-time winner of the senior title (2001, 2002, 2008 & 2009).

Following the opening two rounds, the field will be reduced to the low 70 players and ties. Also contested over the tournament’s first two rounds is an inter-provincial team competition.

Team Alberta, comprised of Frank Van Dornick of Camrose, Brian Laubman of Edmonton and Ken Griffith of Red Deer hold the lead after combining for a score of 142 (+2). Team Quebec and Team British Columbia are tied for second five shots back at 147 (+7).