Nashua Country Club's James Pleat led the local field with a three-under 68 at the opening day of the State Am at North Conway Country Club. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

Nashua Country Club’s James Pleat began his 2020 State Am championship run by being the medalist after the first two days.

This year, he began his title defense after Day One by shooting a 3-under par 68, in a three-way tie for fourth at the 118th annual NHGA State Am Championship at North Conway Country Club.

Also in the tie for fourth is former Nashua North standout Bryce Zimmerman, also of NCC. The leader on the first day is Peter Lown of The First Tee of New Hampshire of North Hampton, as he fired a red hot 64 (seven under). Eric Evans of Portsmouth Country Club is second with a five-under 66.

Mark Stevens of Concoard Country Club was third at four-under.

Sky Meadow’s Brandon Gillis as well as former champion John Devito of Passaconaway each shot a two-under 69, as did Amherst CC’s Colin McCaigue.

Other top locals: Austin Baker, NCC, 70; Noah Leclair, NCC, 70; Tommy Ethier, NCC, even par 71; Cam Sheedy, Windham CC and last year’s runnerup, even 71; Russ Hamel, NCC, one over (tied for 39th); Jack Brown, NCC, 72; Jack Kelley, Sky Meadow, 72; Tillman Evers, Green Meadow, 72; Brendan Allen, two-over 73; Ryan Friel, Overlook, 73; Jon Dyer, NCC, 73; Phil Pleat, NCC, three-over 74; Derek Leclair, NCC, 74.

At 75 (tied for 83) were Sky Meadow’s Rick Moreau and Paul Torri.

Medal play will continue today as the field will be cut to 64 for Match Play. If there is a tie at 64, the famous March will take place to eliminate the tie; there was no March needed last year at NCC.

Match play begins on Wednesday to cut the field down to 32.