Photos by MICHAEL PISTELLA Jake Sherwin of Cape Coral hits a tee shot during the first round of the Nolan Henke/Patty Berg Junior Masters Wednesday. Sherwin shot a 71 and leads the boys’ 13-15 division. More photos online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

Much to the delight of tournament officials, the early-morning groups set a swift pace in the first round of the 17th annual Nolan Henke/Patty Berg Junior Masters Golf Tournament Wednesday at Cypress Lake Country Club.

Of course, the way Cape Coral’s Jake Sherwin was rolling in birdie putts, there was no reason for him to slow down.

Sherwin, 15, was in the first group to tee off in the boys’ 13-15 division at 7:50 a.m. The group of Sherwin, Malcolm Oliver of Rotunda and Samuel Murphy of Fort Myers played their 18 holes in approximately 3 1/2 hours.

Sherwin sank birdies on five of his first nine holes for a 4-under-par 32 on the front, and finished with a 1-under-par 71.

Sherwin, who is entering his sophomore year at Evangelical Christian School, leads the 13-15 division by one stroke heading into today’s second round.

Photos by MICHAEL PISTELLA Kaitlin Schafe of Cape Coral watches a shot during Wednesday’s Henke/Berg Golf Tournament at Cypress Lake Country Club. More photos are available online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

“I was trying not to think about my score,” said Sherwin, who is competing in the event for the third time. “I went out with the idea that it’s just for fun.”

There are 54 players competing in this year’s tournament, which is divided into three divisions – boys’ 16-18, boys’ 13-15 and a girls’ division. The tournament continues with second and third round play, Thursday and Friday.

The Henke/Berg Junior Masters began in 1993. Among the past winners are Fort Myers resident and PGA player George McNeill, who won back-to-back titles in the boys’ 16-18 division in ’93-94. Cape Coral’s Michelle Shin, who played in her first U.S. Women’s Open earlier this summer, won the Junior Masters in 2004 when she was 13.

One player trying to build off of past success and cement his place as one of the tournament’s great champions is Cape Coral’s Chase Marinell.

Marinell, 17, is vying for his third straight title overall and second in the 16-18 division. He opened Wednesday with an even-par 72, leaving him one shot back of Englewood’s Jaime Veloz, who opened with a 71.

Photos by MICHAEL PISTELLA Kyle Schulte of Cape Coral (left) talks to Ryder Albright and Eric Briggs during the first round of the Henke/Berg Junior Masters Golf Tournament Wednesday at Cypress Lake Country Club. The second round is Thursday. More photos are available online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

Jack Hernandez of Fort Myers, who is a high school teammate of Marinell at Bishop Verot, also sits one back at 72.

In the girls’ division, defending champion Miko Dougherty of Cape Coral opened with a 77 to grab the lead.

Cape Coral’s Gina Falvey opened with an 86. Georgia Price (78), Mallory Viera (79) and Kristen Koonce (80) are within striking distance of the lead.

Dougherty, 17, described her play as “normal” but the 77 is her personal best in the five years she’s been playing in the event.

Dougherty, who is entering her senior year at Ida Baker, was in position for a better score if not for a rough closing stretch, which included three consecutive bogeys on Nos. 16-18.

Photos by MICHAEL PISTELLA Dylan Hinkle of Cape Coral stands over a putt during first round action in the Henke/Berg Junior Masters Wednesday. The 54-hole event continues Thursday and Friday. More photos are available online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

In the boys’ 13-15 division, Sherwin said he’ll keep the same game plan to have fun when he plays his second round Thursday. Playing from the lead will be a different experience for him.

Last year, he opened with an 87 and then fought back with 77 and 72 in the final two rounds, finishing 11th. He started fast Wednesday with birdies on Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 9.

“I’m going to keep the same plan,” Sherwin said, “and try not to screw up.”

Oliver carded a 72, leaving him one shot back of Sherwin.

There are 24 players competing in the 16-18 division, but the top three scores all came from the threesome of Veloz, Marinell and Hernandez.

Joe Mazzola of Estero fired a 73, leaving him two shots back of Veloz in the 16-18 division. Airik Medinis of Fort Myers and Grant Burgess of Cape Coral each shot 74.

Burgess, 18, who recently graduated from Mariner, made three birdies on his first five holes.

Veloz made four birdies to claim the one-stroke lead. He finished in a tie for second last year in the 13-15 division.

Hernandez, 16, who finished third last year in the 13-15 division, shot a 2-under-par 34 through his first nine holes Wednesday. He started on the back nine and birdied the first three holes.

Marinell, who has committed to Liberty University, made two birdies on his round.

One came on his ninth hole (No. 18). He hit a drive approximately 300 yards down the center of the fairway and landed his approach shot within 20 feet of the hole, setting up the birdie putt.

Marinell didn’t have many birdie chances, but made several important par putts to hold his round together at even par.

Unsatisfied, Marinell quickly headed out to the driving range and practice green after his round to get in some extra preparation for the remainder of the tournament.

“It was a big scramble for me. I didn’t hit the ball well,” said Marinell, who is trying to become the first three-time winner of the Henke/Berg. “I played a lot worse than my score, but was able to make some clutch par putts and clutch up-and-downs.”