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