The tradition continues at Cotton States
BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2008 Cotton States Invitational | Round One | 25 Jun 2008
The first round of the 57th Annual Cotton States Invitational started this morning at Bayou DeSiard Country Club in Monroe, Louisiana.
With a field limited to 144 participants, the Cotton States has a similar format to the US Amateur. It is a 36-hole stroke-play qualifying competition, followed with the 64 low qualifiers constituting the match-play component and the championship proper.
The Cotton States has a strong history of Australasian participation, as well as success. Ten Australasians are in the field this year at Monroe, spearheaded by local US collegiate player David McKendrick, who is attending college at the University of Louisiana and Grant Scott, runner-up at the Australian Amateur Medal in April.
McKendrick, who’s originally from Victoria, opened today with an even-par,72, to be T25, six behind leader, American Ben Klaus, who fired a 6-under-par, 66, to have a stroke advantage over fellow American, Hudson Johnson.
New Zealand’s Leighton James was the best Australasian, opening with a 2-under-par, 70, to be T8, a stroke ahead of Grant Scott, who opened with a 71, to be T17.
“This tournament is unique,” commented Scott.
“Aussies play well in match-play. Maybe it’s because we are used to playing so much of it back home. In the US most of these events are stroke, so this was an attraction for me, as opposed to playing the Dogwood.”
Luke Bleumink, Rhys McGovern and Ryan Smith will need to improve on their opening rounds of 2-over-par, 74, as they sit dangerously close to the 64th cut mark, at T55.
Australians in recent times have performed well at the Cotton States. Asian Tour player Neven Basic won here in 2003, whilst McKendrick was runner-up to Oliver Bekkler last year. Andrew Tampion also finished runner-up in the event in 2005.
