Boschen, who carded an opening round three-under 69 on Saturday, celebrates his birthday this Saturday. But he is putting any celebrations on hold until after the championships finish the following weekend in the hope of securing a maiden club title.

“It (the present) might be a little bit late,” he laughed.

The Horsham-based golfer has family in Port Fairy and only recently rejoined the club.

“I was a member about 10 years ago, or it might have been a bit more,” he said.

“I was living in Warrnambool then. I always try and get there (Port Fairy) half a dozen times a year.”

He drove the 220 kilometres from Horsham on Saturday morning and is planning on sticking with the same routine this week.

Boschen is used to the pressure of club championships. He has a Horsham A grade title to his credit as well as eight Minyip championships, where he started his career as a junior.

Playing off a handicap of one, he carded six birdies and three bogeys in his afternoon round of 69 on Saturday.

Four of his birdies came on the par fives — the first, fifth, 12th and 18th holes. He also made birdie at the par-four sixth and 17th holes. His bogeys came at the par-three fourth and 15th holes and par-four seventh.

“The par threes weren’t treating me too well,” he said.

He expects to be playing off scratch when he tees up in Saturday’s second round. He holds a four-shot lead from Kevin Leddin, who posted an opening round of 73. Two shots further back are Maskell Medal-winning Koroit footballer Ben Goodall and defending champion Chris Dunn, who had 75s in the heavy morning atmosphere.

Two-time champion Troy Richardson and Chris Johnston are a shot further back.

In the race for the club’s B grade title, Neil Cahill holds a one-shot lead after opening with 84. Three players — Mark Lewis, Chris Ratcliffe and Peter Gubbins — are tied for second with teenager Chris Roberts and Paul Glynn a shot further back. Richard Chapman leads C grade after shooting 86, four ahead of Paul Farley.