The 25-year-old sits equal first with former winner Alistair Gillin at the halfway point for the four-round tournament.

Astbury, who won D grade in 2015, said he was thrilled with his meteoric rise.

He credits his new-found form to extra time on the course over summer.

The plumber worked for his dad cray fishing, meaning early starts and finishes.

"I got to play a heap over summer," Astbury said.

"I am now playing off (a handicap of) two. I started the summer off eight or nine.

"I am back plumbing now and working during the day so I am only able to play golf on weekends now."

FAMILY AFFAIR: Sons aiming to replicate dad's golfing feats

The former Merrivale footballer, who has joined Hampden league club South Warrnambool for the upcoming season, said golf was now his preferred sport.

"Golf is a bit easier on the body," he said.

Astbury and Gillin are tied on 147 entering Saturday's third round.

Jarrod Fary (150) and Luke Williams (152) round out the top four.

The top-nine A grade golfers will advance to Sunday's final.

"Hopefully I go all right. I had a good first round of two-under and on Sunday I wasn't as good and had five-over but I still held in there," he said.

Astbury said adding an A grade title to his D grade crown would be exciting.

"It is definitely a big step. I didn't think I'd be going this well," he said. 

"He (Gillin) has always been up there. The year I won D grade, he won A grade. 

"I remember watching him and the other fella in a playoff hole and he won.

"He knows what to do when the nerves hit. I am a bit nervous about that."

Joe Hakimi (156) leads B grade from Lachie Peters (164).

A Watts (175) has a three-shot lead over Peter Holscher (178) in C grade and Ben Coulson (203) tops D grade with Carl Murphy (210) next best.

Shane Gurnett and Kevin Longmore lead Port Fairy's four-round club championships.

The pair both shot 72 in round one.

Gurnett, who is playing off a handicap of one, is aiming for his fourth consecutive club title.

"I was happy to get off to a good start and be in the first couple which is always good," he said.

"You can do a bit of damage in the first round if you blow out and can put yourself out of contention."

Port Fairy's championships will resume with rounds two and three this weekend before wrapping up on Saturday, March 30.

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