Stars come out

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The environs differ, but the 2008 BMW Pro-Am again got off to a rousing start on Thursday. Though inclement weather threatened the proceedings, large crowds came out to cheer for the collection of celebrities and up-and-coming golfers.

After a seven-year stint with the Cliffs Communities in Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina, the Nationwide Tour's most popular event moved venues for this year's edition.

The celebrity pro-am kicked off at Thornblade Club (host course) in Greenville, S.C., Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg, S.C. and Bright's Creek in Mill Spring, with golfers rotating between the three courses over the tourney's first three days.

Sunday's final round will be held at Thornblade.

The Carolina course, largely considered the easiest of the three, provided a large portion of the leaderboard.

Rick Price grabbed the first-day lead in Spartanburg by firing a 64. It's the lowest score with relation to par (8-under) of his career.

"I just putted well," Price said. "I made a lot of long ones today. Seems like I made everything that I looked at."

Price breezed through the front nine, sinking six birdies and making the turn sitting on 30.

"I'll sign up for a 7-under start through 10 holes every week. I made a long slider on the second hole and it was off to the races the rest of the day."

Price, who last won a Nationwide event in 2005, could have a very happy 40th birthday on Sunday if he remains atop the leaders.

David Mathis and Matt Hendrix sit just behind Price after a pair of 7-under 65s at Carolina. David Hearn and Peter Tomasulo also shot 7-under 65s at Bright's Creek.

Mathis made his move with six consecutive birdies on holes No. 11 through 16.

"Making six birdies in a row is always nice," Mathis said. "I've had streaks like that before, but they never get old."

Hendrix, a former star at Clemson who calls Thornblade his home course, felt comfortable playing in the area.

"Today, my mind was at ease," Hendrix said. "My brother was on the bag and my family is in town staying at my home."

Alex Prugh was slightly surprised by Thornblade's playing conditions.

"The course was not too soft, though I expected it to be," said the Spokane, Wash. native. "This course rewards good wedge play and thankfully I was able to play well with my wedges."

Prugh tied five others for the low round at Thornblade with a 5-under 66 largely through the strength of his putter.

"I really hit the ball awful but I putted well," Prugh said. "I one-putted the first seven holes on the back nine. The greens are in perfect shape here so that helps a lot."

Flat Rock resident Tommy Tolles fired a 3-under 69 at Carolina.

"I didn't do anything flashy today," Tolles said. "Actually 3-under was very average on this golf course. The conditions couldn't have been more benign. I don't think the wind blew over three miles per hour all day.

"I'm disappointed in the way I played."

Spectators at Bright's Creek were also treated to a stellar round from 'The Great One,' hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

Gretzky's pairing is tied with two other groups for the pro-am lead at 59.

Tucker MacDonald, the 14-year old son of tournament director Darin MacDonald, is also tied at 59 after his first round at Carolina.

MacDonald is a freshman at Greenville's Riverside High School.