For three area golfers making their first trip to states, it wasn’t a typical fall sunny day with a slight breeze at Pebble Beach.

Instead, it was a typical fall windy and drizzly day in central Pennsylvania.

Tamaqua’s San Vinc, Palmerton’s Jared Grammes, and Northwestern Avri Chandler battled the elements during the opening day of the PIAA State Golf Championships at Penn State’s 72-par White Course. They will play the second round of the 36-hole tournament tomorrow.

Vinc paced the trio with a 5-over 77, and was tied for 22nd. Grammes fired a 9-over 81 and was tied for 46th, while Chandler had a 21-over 93 to finish tied for 31st in the girls competition.

Despite the temperatures in the mid-50s and winds that ranged from the teens to the low 30s along with an hour frost delay, Vinc got off to a sizzling start when he birdied the first two holes and closed out the opening nine with a 40. He picked it up on the back nine as he carded a 37.

Still, the Tamaqua freshman knew it would be a literal and virtual uphill battle.

“Penn State’s White course is very tough, and it is hard to compare to any course around,” said Vinc. “There were a lot of long par threes, and the wind made those holes very tough. But I battled and was able to give myself opportunities.”

Still, Vinc kept his focus.

“Because of the weather, I really wasn’t nervous,” he added. “I just started to get into a groove from the start. I worked on eliminating the big mistakes, and was able to make a lot of putts and saves for par.”

Grammes, a junior, also found his mark early with a par on the opening hole. He finished his front nine with a 40.

Like Vinc, he saw a similar scene.

“I was comfortable right from the start making par on the first to settle me,” said Grammes. “The conditions were pretty rough in the early going, but they got better towards the end. But it was still very windy and overall very tough.”

Grammes got solid play from his wedges, but he admittedly lacked consistency overall.

“My wedges were the best they have been all year, but the driving and the putting overall cost me a bunch of shots that I wish I had back. The course was in pretty solid shape overall, but the greens were rolling pretty slow compared to the courses around home.”

Palmerton head golf coach Alex Knoll appreciated his golfer’s effort.

“He played well today in the conditions,” said Knoll. “It was very windy, and it was tough to keep it in the fairway. He fought through some tough holes, and he is excited to play tomorrow.”

Chandler, a senior, shared the same experience with her fellow golfers — as well as some butterflies

“It was very tough conditions, and it really messed up my front nine, “stressed Chandler, who had a 44 at the turn. “The wind was brutal.

“Being here for the first time, I was really nervous at the first tee. But I settled down and played with a group of sweet girls.”

Chandler credited her long game, and felt more comfortable on the back nine.

“My long game helped to get a couple of pars and a birdie. Overall, the course was pretty open and an easy shot. We just had to deal with the weather.”

Northwestern head coach Tim Miller was proud of his senior’s showing.

“It was a very difficult day, but she was great from tee to green,” said Miller. “Putting with the wind gusts was her biggest challenge. She fought hard and had a good effort.”

With mostly sunny skies with a high of 61 and wind gusts at 10 miles per hour forecast for today at Penn State, the trio is optimistic for a better outing.

“I feel confident going into tomorrow with a strong score in the wind today,” said Vinc. “I’m hoping for better conditions tomorrow.

“I feel very confident going into tomorrow, and am trying to work my way around to the top 36 by the end of the day,” added Grammes.