"It's my first time here actually, so my first round was the pro-am yesterday and loved it, so it's a good test of golf and some nice sloping greens."
Campbell who is now based in Queenstown has been plagued with injury over the past two years, so to see him at the top of the leaderboard once again is a good sight for golf.
"My game has been feeling pretty good over the last couple of weeks and I have been working pretty hard so it's nice to come back from injury and have the game where you want it and not trying to search so much."
Chung who won for the first time on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour last year also finds himself at the top of the pack as he searches for his second title. After a slow start he carded a whopping eight birdies to get himself in a great position after day one.
"It wasn't the easiest of golf courses out there, but I came out with a good score after an opening bogey so I'm pretty happy," said Chung.
"I was happy but my partners weren't enjoying my boring golf that was simply fairway, green, hole but I had fun out there with my group and hopefully I can continue that tomorrow."
"I've been working on a few things; I have recently got a new set of irons as well which seem to be working. But it's no secret my form has been up and down, up and down and hopefully it all comes together this week."
After day one it's easy to notice the quality of golfers near the top of the leaderboard with Brown being an obvious threat alongside Muriwai Open champion Pieter Zwart at four-under. They are followed by a wealth of experience in the form of Daniel Pearce (-3), Brad Shilton (-3) and Josh Geary (-2).
In the women's field, Alanna Campbell makes her first appearance of the Jennian Homes Charles Tour this season and in style. A run of five birdies in a row helped her to card the low round of the day (67) to lead by one shot.
After not playing in Taranaki you could sense Campbell's excitement to be back on the national tour.
"It's great to be back in action and playing well after watching Taranaki from the sidelines a couple of weeks ago," said Campbell.
"Obviously I went on a good streak through the middle of my round and nearly made eagle which was fun and set up the good score."
Sitting just one shot behind on a score of 68 is Miree Chung and Rose Zheng. Chung flew up the leaderboard in fine style with a spectacular hole in one on the 13th.
This is a strong field this week with Cantabrians littered throughout and will be hunting a hometown victory. Two-time defending champion, Chantelle Cassidy has some work to do if she is to three-peat after a solid even par round.
