Missouri Mid Amateur
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Local, Jay McBride Shoots 64 - Leads After Day One of Missouri Amateur
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Updated: Wed 6/23/2010 4:54 am
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Springfield, MO - Twin Oaks Country Club - PGA Professional, Rich Britton, at Twin Oaks Country Club was quick to nominate Jay McBride as one of the tournament favorites heading into this weeks Missouri Amateur Championship. McBride, a senior at Missouri State University, is on staff at Twin Oaks Country Club and is expected to put his knowledge of the golf course to good use. Jay McBride is looking to do something his brother, two-time Missouri Amateur Champion Mark McBride, couldn't do; win a state amateur championship at Twin Oaks Country Club. Mark McBride was looking to win his 3rd consecutive state amateur championship with the event came to Twin Oaks Country Club in 2002. His run was ended by eventual champion, Michael Letzig.
Jay McBride got off to a pedestrian start with pars on 1 and 2. A routine birdie on the reachable par 5, 3rd hole, still didn't provide any hint a 7 under par, 64 was in store. McBride took advantage of the 510 yard, par 5, 8th hole making an eagle and followed with an impressive birdie at the difficult par 4, 9th hole. Another birdie on the par 5, 10th kept the momentum going.
Despite a bogey on the par 3, 11th hole, McBride continued the hot hand with three birdies to finish his back nine. Birdies at 13, 16 and 17 produced a 3 under par 33 to go with this 4 under par 31 and a first round, 7 under par 64 to lead the field after 18 holes.
On McBride's heels are a few past champions in Connor McHenry and Skip Berkmeyer. McHenry posted a 5 under par, 66, playing alongside William Harrold who also fired 66 on Tuesday. Similar to McBride, McHenry finished strong with birdies at 16, 17 and 18. The finishing stretch at Twin Oaks Country Club is believed to present a significant challenge as the week plays out, however the leaders don't seem to be having any trouble early in the championship. "I hit it close on 16 and made good putts on 17 and 18", said McHenry. "I putted really well today, except for a three putt on 8. I made a couple of 20 footers for birdie today."
Key for McHenry later in the week will be getting his tee ball in the short grass. The rough at Twin Oaks Country Club hasn't been cut since last Wednesday and if history is any indication, don't expect the mowers to find their way to the rough anytime soon. McHenry hit 7 drivers during his first round, but found the fairway only one time when pulling out the big stick.
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