Ellis and Pestell set the pace at Essendon

Ian Ellis of Costessey Park and Andrew Pestell (above) of Chelmsford are joint leaders after the opening round of the PGA East Region Championship played on the New course at Essendon Country Club in Hertfordshire.

Both returned scores of five-under-par 67. Ellis had six birdies and one dropped shot. Pestell also had six birdies with four of them coming in his final five holes.

Stuart Brown of Orton Meadows is one shot off the pace with four of his six birdies coming on the back nine.  The top dozen players are all in with a good chance with scores under par.

Mitch Kierstenson (Penfold Park) and Laurence Allen (Brookmans Park) are poised to pounce from joint fourth only two shots behind. Robert Edwards of Bushey Hall Golf Club is sixth at one-under.

Mark Hooper of Rayleigh Golf Range, leader of the Order of Merit after the first two of six events planned this year, is well down the leaderboard with seven over par 79. He dropped six shots in his back nine.