First of the contenders to tee off. Post a good score with the aim to working your way to the top of leaderboard. Then first into the clubhouse.

And let the field else chase you.

“It’ll be nice to get the first series at quarterback, even if it is an exhibition game,’’ confesses Andrew Buckley, who receives the start at QB when the Stampeders open their twin-bill exhibition set Tuesday.

First up, the B.C. Lions.

“Getting into a game right away always helps. Settles your nerves a bit. I guess there’s a little more pressure on your shoulders. But that’s what you have to deal with.

“Exhibition games are when your job is on the line. I’m excited to get the opportunity.”

The first start of Buckley’s pro career holds significance on another front. It marks the first start by a Canadian-born Stampeder pitcher – in any type of competitive situation – since a collegiate titan of another era, Greg Vavra, tracking all the way back to 1984.

So, yes, it’s been a while.

Buckley’s pre-season a year ago served as confirmation to Stamps’ coach Dave Dickenson and GM John Hufnagel that the four-year U of C Dinos’ star was in fact, as they’d hoped, pro-ready.

In Calgary’s 2016 exhibition opener, at McMahon Stadium, the two-time Hec Creighton Trophy winner completed six of 13 pass attempts for 69 yards and a pick versus the northern interlopers from Edmonton.

Getting a follow-up chance during the second game, out west-coast way at B.C. Place on June 17, Buckley finished a spotless 4-for-4 for 42 yards in a limited appearance.

Those two performances demonstrated enough in-game poise to go along with the obvious natural potential to nestle Buckley into the No. 3 spot behind Bo Levi Mitchell and the Drew Tate – now in Ottawa – to open last season.

This go-round, his express aim is to shift a notch up on the depth chart, take on an expanded role. He threw only two passes during the regular-season in 2016, deployed mainly, and by-in-large successfully, in a short-yard capacity.

“It’s nice to translate those reps last year against B.C. into the game (Tuesday),’’ Buckley says. “It was a good way to end the pre-season in my first year, on a high note.

“Every time you get a chance, it’s on you to perform.

“So that just gives you the confidence you can play at this level.”

Tuesday, reigning MOP Mitchell will be given the night off in favour of those auditioning for the No. 2 position. Meaning Buckley, the lone incumbent among the three men vying for two spots – along with Ricky Stanzi and Mitchell Gale, are all slated to take a turn.

The Stamps’ second and final dress rehearsal goes Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium against the Edmonton Eskimos.

Asked about his QB plans for the Leos following a walk-through at McMahon on Monday, Dickenson confirmed:

“Won’t play Bo. Everyone else will play an equal amount and we’ll evaluate.

“We’ve been doing that all camp. I’m not changing my philosophy. We need to see these other three guys and we’ll see how they play.

“We’re going to let everyone play that we feel needs to. There are still battles. Veteran or rookie, doesn’t matter. You need to show me your compete level, go out there and play your best.”

Since re-convening to prepare for the coming season, the Stamps have been forced to deal with a compressed schedule. This first exhibition tilt has snuck up in no time flat. Then only six days to regroup until the three-hour trip due north to take on the Eskies.

“It’s been a condensed camp, for sure,’’ agrees Buckley. “Pre-season’s so early this year … but  we’ve had enough time to digest the information. We’re ready to go.”

No one moreso than the guy under centre to start on Tuesday.

“This,’’ says Buckley, “is what you’ve been preparing all summer for. This is where you’ve gotta perform.

“Just go, show them your best game, leave it all out there on the field and hopefully things take care of themselves.”