Author: Adam Frillman Updated: Sat 6/7/2008 5:53 pm

The 50th playing of the Phil Cotton Invitational saw two of the regions Executive Directors play exceptionally well in the first round on Saturday.  Don Bliss of the Gateway PGA shot a tournament best 64 to lead the Senior Division by five strokes.  Scott Hovis of the Missouri Golf Association played surprisingly well on route to a 3-under par 67.  "Considering I have played very little golf this year, I am thrilled with how I played today.  Let's see if I can back it up tomorrow," commented Hovis after the round.

Hovis is one shot back of Nick Wilson that shot 66 and will be playing in Sunday's final round with Wilson and St. Louis', Skip Berkmeyer, following his 2-under par 68.  St. Louisan Darren Lundgren is three off the lead after a round that consisted of 17 pars and 1 birdie.  "I played very steady today and am glad to be in the hunt going into tomorrow," said Lundgren after the first round.

The Phil Cotton began fifty years ago at Columbia Country Club as a fund raiser in honor of Phil Cotton and has evolved into a scholarship fund raiser for the University of Missouri Golf Team.  Director of Golf at A.L. Gustin Golf Club, Richard Poe has played or administered every Phil Cotton Invitational. Poe was the Golf Coach at Mizzou and has seen a lot of his players compete in the Cotton over the years including Stan Utley and Jason Schultz.

Round 2 of the Cotton is expected to be played under the same windy conditions placing a premium on par Sunday.