Last year it was Marty Salmon and Owen Roe who went into the competition as the hot favourites before they were toppled by Craig Sharah and Dave Nicoll in the semi-finals.

This time around top seeded father-and-son pair Bob and Paul Clancy went into the titles with the favourites’ tag after qualifying, however, they met their match in the very first round last Sunday.

The duo fell to Peter Crag and Dave Travis in a major upset that has opened up the draw for some of the unheralded teams.

Not to be outdone by Crag and Travis, Brian Weal and Paul Fisher then conspired to defeat second-seeded team Ben Matheson and Neil Adams by a solitary hole.

Those two results left the Lamb brothers Clinton and Donovan as the highest ranked pairing left in the draw after they were successful in their opening round.

Fourth-seeds Tim West and Craig Writer also progressed comfortably.

If experience counts for anything, all the remaining teams will be looking over their shoulder at the team of Brad Molenkamp and Ross Thompson.

The defending champions will take their place in the final 16 after winning their first round match.

The next round of the competition will take place on July 12, while all the vanquished sides from the first round will get a chance for redemption as the Ivor Hector Trophy kicks off on the same day.

Bathurst Golf Club secretary Brad Constable says he thinks the first round revealed a few things about the likely outcome of the championships.

“I think Ross and Brad will be hard to beat again,” Constable said.

“But actually I think that the St Pat’s connection – West and Writer – will be very difficult to roll, I’m a little bit wary of that pairing.

“‘Bongo’ [Writer] has been starting to get into his golf a bit lately and they look like they’re in pretty good form.”