He heads a strong contingent of leading lights from the greater Albury-Wodonga region teeing off in the opening round at Midlands.

Making his first start in the event, Schneider represents Thurgoona in the Murray District Golf Association pennant.

He is also the reigning Victorian par three amateur championship, a title he captured at Kyabram in June last year, and is a former New South Wales country champion.

Schneider tees off on the first at 12.06pm.

The north-east party also features Steve Bindon and Peter Miller, who was runner-up to Travis Tatt in this tournament two years ago.

Bindon, of Bandiana, is highly regarded in his home region, where is a multiple club sandgreen champion and three-time MDGA pennant winner with the powerful Howlong.

Ballarat’s Craig Boucher is the defending men’s champion in the 210-plus strong field.

Chasing a 12th title, Boucher will as usual tee off early. He is in the first group on the first tee at 7.20am.

Creswick’s Bevan Morton and Luke Murnane, Brett Kerry, Michael Harricks are other leading hopes.

The reigning women’s champion Sam Booth now lives in Queensland and is not playing.

Eight-time winner Helen Pascoe, who last won the title two years ago is sure to be a contender again with the likes of Nikki Prato and Kate McMahon.

McMahon was runner-up to Pascoe in 2010.

The tournament continues at Buninyong tomorrow and wraps up on the Ballarat lay-out on Sunday.