Angel Franco was last but by no means least as he joined three other players at the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship.
The Paraguayan, out in the more difficult afternoon conditions, carded a superb three-under-par 69 amid swirling winds at Slaley Hall to finish level with Gordon Brand Junior, Jeff Hawkes and John Benda who all posted their scores in the calmer morning conditions.
Franco, a three time runner since his debut on the European Senior Tour last season, sank five birdies but missed the chance to take the outright after three putting the 18th.
Nevertheless the father-of-six, who lists politics as his main interest, was happy with his efforts on the Hunting Course which he believes suits his game.
"I'm happy with the round, I hit the ball very well from the beginning and it was easy to play well on this course," he said.
"I feel very comfortable on this course and it is important to feel like that if you want to play your best."
Brand Junior, who made a dramatic debut in the event last year when he lost in an epic six hole play-off with his namesake Gordon J Brand, was also back to something like his best with birdies on the fifth, 11th, 12th and 16th marred only by a solitary bogey on the difficult ninth (his last hole).
The Bristol-based pro struggled at the Wales Senior Open last week so was happy to rediscover his touch but he admitted he was even more delighted to be playing alongside former Open champion Bob Charles - the oldest competitor whose one over par 73 matched his age.
"My real pleasure was playing with Bob, it was fantastic and he was only about 10 yards behind my drives, it was frightening," said Brand Junior.
"You don't often get the chance to play with class people and Bob was class today."
"I've been struggling with my game, nothing has been that consistent, but today was as good as it's been for some time," he added.
"To have just one bogey and a smattering of birdies is very satisfying."
The surprise package among the leaders was South African Jeff Hawkes who missed all last year following shoulder surgery and is now hampered by a severe foot problem which makes walking 18 holes a struggle.
"It's been a while since I've played under par, it was a shame about the double-bogey finish but fun until then," he said.
"I had surgery last year and didn't play for an entire year and last week was the first time I've walked 18 holes and I'm not even sure I'll finish four rounds as I suffer with a condition that means the tendons in my feet go into spasm."
Kevin Spurgeon - whose late father Keith managed Ajax in the early 60s - was in second place at two under par with a clutch of players at one under for the tournament including former PGA Professional Champion, Bob Cameron and Tim Rastall (Mottram Hall).
Crowd-favourites Ian Woosnam and Sam Torrance opened with 73 and 74 respectively but defending champion Gordon J Brand had a day to forget after a nine over par 81.
Despite leading the Order of Merit, Woosnam admitted he didn't have a clue what was going on with his game.
"I'm hitting some shots 20-30 yards left or right, and it's just not consistent. I just can't put my finger on when I swing well and when I swing badly," he said.
Senior PGA Professional champion George Ryall posted a 74 despite after failing to master the pace of the greens despite a change of putter prior to his round.
"I didn't quite get the speed of the greens in the pro-am, I found them all quite slow so I changed my putter today and they were quicker!" said The Players Club teaching pro.
"I hit it long on the first and three putted straight away and struggled with the speed all day."
Also at two over par were Richard Masters (Baildon) and Murray White (Penfold Park) while Edzell's Alistair Webster faded to a 76 after initially birdieing two of the first three holes.
25 June, 2009