A perfect day for golf greeted the top amateur golfers in Missouri for round one of the 2008 Missouri Amateur Championship at WingHaven Country Club.  Two days of stroke play competition will determine the low 64 players who will then compete in match play until the champion is crowned on Sunday afternoon. 

Drew Lethem, Overland Park, posted the low round of the day with a 4 under par 68, highlighted by a hole in one on the par 3 8th hole.  A total of 7 scores were carded under par, including 1 under par rounds by Don Bliss and Darren Lundgren and a 2-under par round from Matt Hines.

Defending Champion, Connor McHenry, Jefferson City, carded a 3 over par 75 placing him in a tie for 29th position heading into the final round of stroke play qualifying.  Last year's runner-up to McHenry, Mitchell Gregson also sits in good position to qualify for match play after posting an even par round of 72, in a tie for 8th.

WingHaven Country Club plays to a maximum yardage of 7,230 yards, but for the first round of stroke play qualifying the Missouri Golf Association set the course up to play just under 6,900 yards.  Throughout the week the Missouri Golf Association is expected to move the tees back allowing the course to play at a yardage closer to 7,000 yards. 

Even with playing to a shorter yardage on day one of the Missouri Amateur Championship the golf course proved to be a difficult test for the majority of the field.  After round one a total of 71 players posted rounds of 77 or better with a group of players currently in a tie for 59th place. 

Round two of the stroke play qualifying begins at 7:30am with players teeing off on #1 and #10.  Upon the conclusion of play the low 64 players will be positioned into a match play bracket with matches beginning on Thursday.  Should there be a tie for 64th place, a playoff will commence immediately following the completion of round 2.