KAHUKU — You can't blame former Kapalua pro Dick McClean if he gets excited every time there's a letter postmarked from Hawai'i when he checks his mailbox in La Quinta, Calif.

"It was unbelievable. Nine months ago I got that letter regarding the (Hawai'i) Hall of Fame, which I never expected. Then two months ago, I got a letter, saying they're inviting me to play," said McClean, who got a sponsor's exemption to play in the Turtle Bay Championship.

"We were happy to invite him for all the things he has done for the state. That's why he's in he hall of fame," said Matt Hall, Turtle Bay's director of golf.

Even though he's now only a once-a-year tournament player, McClean didn't think twice, telling himself, "I'd love to come back and see my friends, so I don't care what I shoot. I'm going to do it."

He didn't shoot too badly, a 1-over-par 73, coming back after being 3-over on the front nine, which could have been worse.

Former Kailua resident Scott Simpson posted the best round of the golfers with local ties in the Champions Tour's first full-field event of the year, shooting a 3-under 69. He had it at 5-under but finished bogey-bogey — done in by a plugged fairway bunker tee shot at 17 and mis-hit 5-iron that found the water at 18.

"Overall, I would take 3-under. It's a good position, considering it was pretty windy today," said Simpson.

Dave Eichelberger, who is starting his 15th year on the senior tour, was next best with a 70. His only bogey of the day came at the par-3 15th, three-putting from 80 feet.

"I was really pretty happy with the way I played today. I've been working hard on my game over the winter and trying to stay fit," said Eichelberger, a member of Oahu Country Club.

He started his day by bombing a 40-foot birdie putt at the 412-yard opening hole and made the turn in 34 after knocking his approach shot to a foot at No. 6. He also birdied 17, sinking a 6-footer, but another 6-foot try at birdie didn't fall at the par-5 18th.

David Ishii didn't have a good round going so he went for the 539-yard finishing hole in two, only to splash his shot into the water. He still saved par by chipping in from the back fringe to close with a 76.

All told, Ishii hit four balls into the water, two at the No. 11 for a triple-bogey 7. He also found the water at the par-3 fourth, the most difficult hole of the day, that led to a double-bogey.

"All bad, nothing to talk about," said a disappointed Ishii, who received a sponsor's exemptions along with Kiyoshi Murota (71), who represents Turtle Bay Resort.