TRAVELERS REST, S.C., May 1 (UPI) -- Jack Nicklaus and sons were the main attraction at the Nationwide Tour's BMW Charity Pro-Am at the Cliffs, but Eric Meeks was the clubhouse leader.
Meeks fired an opening-round 7-under-par 65 at the Cliffs Valley Course before rain suspended action Thursday. He shared the lead with Tripp Isenhour, who was at 7-under with two holes remaining at the Keowee Vineyards Course.
But all eyes were on Nicklaus, who played with all four of his sons for the first time in competition, making his debut on the Nationwide Tour.
Nicklaus was joined by sons Gary, Mike, Steve and Jack II in the $575,000 celebrity event.
The winner of a record 18 majors among his 73 PGA Tour victories, Nicklaus shot an even-par 71 and finished one stroke in front of Gary, Michael and Jack II. Steve is participating as his father's amateur partner.
"I think 71 is better than an 85, which is the last first round I shot," said Nicklaus, referring to his opening-round score at The Masters this year. "That won't be very good as it relates to the field. That will be somewhere in the middle of the field is my guess."
The Nicklaus family played early Thursday and was finished before the inclement weather arrived.
Play was suspended at 4:20 p.m. EDT at the Cliffs and then at 4:55 p.m. at Keowee when thunderstorms and heavy rains passed through the area. The golfers will be back on the course at 7:30 a.m. Friday.
"The weather was perfect and the people were nice," said Nicklaus, who had five birdies but five bogeys as well. "We'll try to shoot a low score tomorrow so we can play on Saturday and Sunday."
Nicklaus had never played on the Nationwide Tour, which formerly was known as the Buy.com Tour, Nike Tour and Ben Hogan Tour. His sons, however, have combined for 55 starts on the PGA Tour's minor circuit.
"It didn't feel any different," Nicklaus said. "I'm interested in more than just my own game, watching them play, too. Gary played some nice golf, but he hit about three bad shots (which) cost him a lot of strokes.
"Steve didn't play well for Steve. He's a pretty good player. We had fun, we had a good day."
