BANGOR – David Gunas feels like he’s home when he plays in the Greater Bangor Open Golf Tournament.

“There are so many cool people here,” said Gunas, a 32-year-old from Hebron, Conn. “It’s the most colorful place I’ve ever played.”

Part of feeling at home are the friendships that can develop over the course of several years.

Gunas pointed out that there are people who, after maybe playing with a pro in the pro-am or meeting them some other way, follow that player around the course each year, lending continuing support.

“What does that do for your psyche?” asked Gunas. “With good vibes like that, it’s hard not to play well.”

Gunas turned his good vibes into a 2-under-par 67 at Bangor Municipal Golf Course in Thursday’s opening round of the $50,000 GBO, three strokes off the lead of amateur Casey Bourque of Biddeford and pro Doug Rhea of Windmere, Fla.

Matt Lucchesi of Lincoln, R.I., and Brian Quinn of Philadelphia are tied for third at 65. Matt Eaton of Moultonborough, N.H., heads a quartet at 66, and Gunas and Sean Clark, the pro at White Birches Golf Course in Hancock top a group at 67.

Forty players matched par or better.

After today’s round, the field will be trimmed for Saturday’s 18-hole finale.

One of Gunas’ friendships is with Jim Smith of Bangor, who volunteers as a starter for the GBO.

“I mark my ball with a big circle,” said Gunas. “Last year, I wanted a purple marker, but I couldn’t find one. The next day, on the first tee, he hands me a purple marker.”

Smith said, “Dave’s an upbeat guy, and I like that. It doesn’t matter how he’s playing, he’s always happy.”

Smith laughed about the marker story.

“Three years ago, he was color coding his balls,” said Smith. “Last year, it was purple. He had to have purple. He searched all over. I just brought one in from the office.”

Gunas reciprocated the gift, but Smith kept on this year.

“I figured I’d stay one up on him,” said Smith. “I was taking photos [during Wednesday’s long-drive competiton], and I took some of him and his family. I loaded them into the computer and printed them out.”

When Gunas stopped by the first tee to say hello, Smith gave him the photos.

“I figured they’d get a charge out of it,” said Smith.

The other stabilizing influence for Gunas is his family, which consists of his girlfriend of two years, Michelle, and their 10-week-old daughter Raegan. He also has a 6-year-old son Davey from his first marriage.

“She [Michelle] gives me 100 percent support,” said Gunas. “If I decide I have to chip some balls at 10 o’clock, then she’ll load up the baby, we’ll go to a field, she’ll turn the car lights on, and I’ll hit 100 balls.

“It’s amazing how much easier it is [to play] when somebody cares.”

Settling down can be part of the process of maturing for some players, and Gunas counts himself in that group.

“When you come home to a clean house, good food, and the bills are paid, it’s a different world,” said Gunas, who admitted he was a partier in the time between his divorce from his first wife and meeting Michelle.

He prefers the way his life is now.

“There are probably 30 23-year-olds with better swings out here,” he said. “But you have to learn to deal with what goes on around a tournament.”

Gunas has a new playing philosophy now, as espoused in the book “Extraordinary Golf: The Art of the Possible” by Fred and Pete Shoemaker.

“It says, `If you swing a 7-iron and then throw it on the follow-through, you’ll have the perfect swing,’ ” said Gunas. “I take about 20 old clubs [to practice]. I’ll throw a club, then hit a ball. It teaches you to release the clubhead. Most people swing the handle and never feel the clubhead.”

It worked well Thursday as Gunas said he hit 17 of the 18 greens in regulation.

He had a little trouble converting the birdie putts, sinking three against one bogey, but he’s confident that he can make the adjustments for the next two rounds.

Gunas has two North Atlantic Tour victories under his belt already and set the course record of 66 at Shattuck in New Hampshire.

“I’m coming off my best start ever,” said Gunas. “I don’t usually start playing this well until August.”

CHIP SHOTS: David Cummings of Bath, a past winner of the Maine Open, said he hurt his left wrist while playing in the Greater Portland Open earlier this month. He had to withdraw there, then took three weeks off. “I think I came back too soon,” he said Thursday. “It doesn’t hurt, but it’s still wobbly.” Cummings shot a 6-over-par 75…. Gunas has a little side bet going with tennis legend turned golf pro Ivan Lendl, $1 per round when they’re in the same tournament. “I have a big room at my home that’s all papered with Lendl dollar bills,” said Gunas. Lendl gets even by playing some of his numerous practical jokes on Gunas.