Berkmeyer Leads at U.S. Amateur Qualifying

Skip Berkmeyer posted a 4-under par, 68 to lead the U.S. Amateur Qualifying at Meadowbrook Country Club.  Four players will advance to the National Championship at Pinehurst in August.  Berkmeyer is coming off a solid performance at the 2008 Porter Cup where he finished in a tie for 13th.  "I won the Mid Amateur division", commented a light hearted Berkmeyer when speaking about his play at last week's Porter Cup.  While there isn't really a Mid Amateur division at the Porter Cup, Berkmeyer has reached the stage in his career where he often finds himself the oldest contender for the title.  So when he tees it up with Adam Long (Duke University) and William Harrold on Tuesday he'll be in familiar territory as the veteran in the group.  

Seven players posted sub par rounds on the 7,114 yard, par 72 at Meadowbrook Country Club.  Todd Obergoenner (Cape Girardeau), Drew Carlson (Mission Hills, KS) and Dan Crockett (Nashville, TN) will be in the second to last group at 8:55am.  2008 Missouri Amateur Champion, Justin Bardgett, 2007 Missouri Amateur Champion Connor McHenry and Chris Seiffert will play at 8:45am.  Dustin Ashby (O'Fallon, MO), Ian Rochester (Cordova, TN) and Kyle Marcolla (Chillicothe) tee off at 8:35am.  William Street (Gilbert, AZ), Darren Lundgren (Grover), Mark Gardiner (Chillicothe, IL) put the ball in the air at 8:25am.  A total of 34 players made the cut (29 players and ties or within 8 shots of the leading score).  Anyone making the cut has a chance to capture one of the four qualifying positions with a great round on Tuesday.

Tuesday's final round summary will be available at www.thebacknineonline.com or via the Golfers Network at www.golfersnetworkusa.com.