Golfers Network USA - Ken Highlander Shares Lead at St. Louis District Men's Championship

Ken Highlander, '98 Champion, shares lead at St. Louis District Championship

Updated: Fri 7/6/2012 9:32 am

At the very golf course where Ken Highlander was officially announced as the new St. Louis District Golf Association President in 2004, he now finds himself vying for the Association's most prestigious championship as the first round co-leader at Old Hickory Golf Club.

Highlander has given a lot to the St. Louis District Golf Association over the years. A regular participant in the Association's full slate of tournaments and past President, Highlander has almost become synonymous with the STLDGA. His affiliation doesn't just exist because of his volunteer contribution, he's also one of the Association's more decorated players winning the 1998 Greisedieck Men's Championship, 2005 Jim Jackson and most recently the 2009 Cassett Senior Championship.

The format for the Men's District Championship has changed since Highlander last won this championship. This week, players will compete over 36 holes of stroke play competition with the top 16 players advancing into match play beginning Saturday morning. Players will then play two matches on both Saturday and Sunday, until the eventual champion is determined. Alex Cusumano captured his first major championship in the 2011 Men's District at WingHaven Country Club. Cusumano is currently in position to again qualify for the 16 player match play field after a first round 73.

Highlander is tied with Steven Soucheck at 67 after the first round. Mike Whitaker of Whitmoor Country Club is the only other play to break 70, firing a first round 69.

Several other past champions are in the mix this year, trying to persevere in the over 100 degrees of heat. The 1991 Champion, Richard Jarrett posted a first round 76 and is tied for 22nd position, but only one shot out of 16th position. Nick Langley, the 2010 Champion finished at 78 and is 3 shots out of a projected playoff for the 16th and final match play slot. The 2002 Champion, Scott Fann, a former professional returned to the amateur ranks, posted 77 and will be looking to make up ground on Friday.

Other notables to keep an eye on today and this weekend include Andy Frost, who earlier this year won the Normandie Amateur Championship at the age of 52. Frost has come close in this championship before and is a strong match play competitor. He currently is within the top 16 after a first round 74. Another Senior player in the mix is Jeff Johnson. Johnson had a remarkable season last year and is looking to notch another victory this week. Johnson played well last year at WingHaven Country Club but couldn't maintain his strong play on the weekend. Ted Moloney continues to come close in this championship losing in the finals last year to Cusumano. Once again he is positioned to factor on the weekend after a first round 75. So to is Joe Migdal who lost to Moloney in the final four last year at WingHaven Country Club. Midgal also posted 75 in round one.

Regardless of seed in the 16 player match play bracket, the objective is to just advance to play on Saturday morning. Sure, you'd like to be playing great golf and earn the top seed, but once in match play anything can happen and these players know that.

Leaderboard

Highlander, Ken Sunset Hills CC 67

Souchek, Steven Gateway National GL 67

Whitaker, Mike Metropolitan Golf Club 69

Bohme, Bryan Old Hawthorne (The Club at) 71

Weber, Rick Whitmoor CC 71

Jones, Teddy B. Aberdeen GC 72

Sneed, Garrett CC of St. Albans 72

Caravia, Phil Norwood Hills CC 73

Cusumano, Alex WingHaven CC 73

Johnson, Jeff Bogey Hills CC 73

Arman, Nick Forest Hills CC 74

Frost, Andrew Bellerive CC 74

Hamel, Scott Meadowbrook CC 74

McLaughlin, Kevin Old Warson CC 74

Timpone Jr., Joe Old Hickory GC 74

Keenoy, Devlin Metropolitan Golf Club 75

Migdal, Joe Aberdeen GC 75

Migdal, Sam Aberdeen GC 75

Moloney, Ted Greenbriar Hills CC 75

Ward, Scott Whitmoor CC 75

Welch, Adam Old Hickory GC 75

Beaston, Justin Sunset HIlls CC 76

Jarrett, Richard Gateway National GL 76

Kahlenberg, Kyle Old Hickory GC 76

Kendrick, Michael Grennbriar Hills CC 76

Newton, Brett Old Hickory GC 76

Niezing, Chad Metropolitan Golf Club 76

Fann, Scott Metropolitan Golf Club 77

Stojanovic, Alek CC at The Legends 77

Wootten, Michael Whitmoor CC 77

Brugner, Matt Old Hickory GC 78

Langley, Nick Pevely Farms GC 78

Neeman, Paul Old Hickory GC 78

Allen, Buddy Union Hills GC 79

Baugher, Carson Sunset Hills CC 79

Calcari, Nathan Glen Echo CC 79

Gray, Dane St. Clair CC 79

Hall, Brian WingHaven CC 79

Pohrer, Robert Old Warson CC 79

Riordan, Patrick Persimmon Woods GC 79

Sinak Jr., Tom Fox Run GC 79

For the complete list of scores from Round 1 at Old Hickory Golf Club - GO HERE