Summerland Golf & Country Club’s Greg Machtaler and Tyrel Babkirk shot an 11-under 61 in the opening round of the PGA of BC Pro-Assistant Championships at Gallagher’s Canyon on Monday afternoon to take a one-stroke lead into the final round.

Only one stroke behind are last year’s runner-up squad from the Kelowna Golf & Country Club, Rob Anderson and Jamie Stevens, who shot 61 and will be playing in a group with Machtaler and Babkirk on Tuesday at 8 a.m.

Only three strokes behind is the hometown team of Jonathan Kadin and Jason Jurimae, who shot 64 and will have home-course advantage on Tuesday.

Another stroke back, at 65, is Seymour Creek’s Bryn Parry and James Legault. Parry is on a massive winning streak, having just won the last two touranments he’s played in: the PGA of Canada Championship at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont. and the Chilliwack Open, in a three-hole playoff over Adam Hadwin.

Monday’s rounds were played on the challenging Gallagher’s Canyon course in Kelowna, but it wasn’t all about the golf.

In the bocce contest, Fairview Mountain came out as the victor over Fraserview in a thrilling final that saw competitors throw their bocce balls from the first hole patio to the white tee boxes on hole #1.

Machtaler and Babkirk also claimed the $680 KP prize for their eagle on hole #12.

Machtaler is also on an impressive winning streak, having won the PGA of BC Assistant Professionals Championship at Chilliwack Golf Club in early June. Machtaler fired a closing round 65 to wrest that title from first-round leader, Gordy Scutt of Olympic View.

The final round of the PGA of BC Pro-Assistant Championship is scheduled for an 8 a.m shotgun start on Tuesday, July 9.