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Cory Churchman leads by three at Cotton States
Cory Churchman
Cory Churchman

MONROE, La. — Sometimes, making a bogey on the first hole isn't as bad as it seems.

Cory Churchman, a University of North Texas senior from Abilene, Texas, did so on Wednesday during the first round of the W.E. Cole Cotton States Invitational. Then, he went out in 35 and posted four-under 32 on the back nine to shoot 67 and lead the stroke play qualifying by three shots.

After Thursday's second round, the low 32 players will head to a match play style tournament. Churchman is sure a lock to make that. The only question is, can he secure medalist honors?

Three shots back are four players tied for second place at two-under 70, including Oklahoma City University senior Anthony Marchesani and University of Arkansas junior Zach Coats.

There are currently 36 players at two-over par or better through the first round at Bayou DeSiard Country Club. Clear skies are expected tomorrow but temperatures could sore near 100 degrees in Monroe, La. as players grind out their rounds to advance to match play.

Results: Cotton States Amateur
WinTXCory ChurchmanAbilene, TX400
Runner-upNorwayAndreas GjestebyNorway300
SemifinalsARZachary CoatsSpringdale, AR200
SemifinalsMSRoss BellMadison, MS200
MedalistLABlake TraweekMonroe, LA100

View full results for Cotton States Amateur

ABOUT THE Cotton States Amateur

Originally played in 1949 as the Bayou DeSiard Labor Day Golf Tournament, the tournament's name was changed to the Cotton States Invitational in 1951 by the club's young head professional, W. E. "Winnie" Cole. He felt that the name better reflected the main states that the tournament's players originated from (and a move to mid-summer made the name a necessity later anyway). Little did Cole know that 27 years later, in 1978, the event would be renamed again, forever to be known as the W. E. Cole Cotton States Invitational Golf Tournament.

Past champions of this highly competitive, yet festive tournament include Don January and Hal Sutton. Gil Morgan, David Toms and many other PGA Tour players have also competed. The tournament field field is limited to 96 amateur participants having a verified USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 0.0. Long a match play event, the format was changed in 2021 to 72 holes of stroke play.

View Complete Tournament Information

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