HARBOR SPRINGS (AP) – As the golf coach at Northern Michigan University, Kyle Wittenbach is best known for helping other golfers achieve success on the course.

But Wittenbach clearly has plenty of game himself, as he and amateur partner Ben Cook shot an 8-under-par 64 on Boyne Highlands’ Heather Course on Monday to take the Day 1 lead at the annual Nike Golf State Pro-Am.

The Pro-Am, a 36-hole event that’s one of the premier outings on the Professional Golf Association Michigan Chapter’s schedule, pairs 152 PGA professionals with amateur golfers and has them compete against each other over two days in a best-ball format event for the title.

Now in its 75th year, the event attracts some of the state’s top pro golfers as well as some of its best high school and college players.

With eight birdies and no bogeys on the opening day, Wittenbach and Cook hold a one-stroke lead over three teams that are tied with 65s.

Among those teams are Escanaba native Scott Hebert of the Traverse City Golf and Country Club, who teamed with Andrew Chapman to shoot seven birdies on the Heather. Ian Ziska of Katke Golf Course at Ferris State and partner John Murphy shot a 65 on the Hills Golf Course and 2014 champion Lee Houtteman of Manitou Passage Golf Club and Patrick Colburn carded a 65 as well.

Also in contention at 6-under are 2005 champion Jeff Sobczak of Briar North Golf Club and his partner Austin Carter, along with Steven Vecellio of Birmingham and J.B. Davies.

Defending champion Christopher Mory and partner Jimmy Dewling shot 69 to sit five strokes back of the leaders heading into the final round.

Play was set to resume this morning at 8 o’clock at the Heather and Hills Courses, with the leaders expected to tee off at around noon.