SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Round 1 of the 23rd annual Price Cutter Charity Championship saw its usual low scores.
With the dry conditions, the field of 156 used the course's thin rough and soft greens to make birdies their buddy.
A collection of golfers are in contention, and will continue to push the weekend's cut.
Colombian Camilo Benedetti led the morning wave and was the first of several players to card a six under 66 on day one.
Joining him was New Englander Rob Oppenheim.
Rookie Ben Kohles, who won his first two tour events coming in to vault in to the No. 2 spot on the money list, finished three under par.
Steve Freisen, who equaled the tournament record with a 29 on the front nine last year en route to the Charity Championship title struggled finishing day one even after five bogeys.
James Nitties and Tennessean Doug Barron found themselves on top of the leaderboard, both with eight under par 64's
There are some familiar faces here at Highland Springs. This year's Charity Championship features two hometown heroes.
Springfield Cardinals GM Matt Gifford is playing for his second-straight year, raising money for dozens of children's charities.
He's already doubled last year's figure, with over $40,000 raised.
Springfield native Kevin Kring made the field after monday's qualifier at Rivercut.
His short game struggled. But on his father Keith's birthday the 22-year old Central grad finishes the opening round one stroke under par.
With the dry conditions, the field of 156 used the course's thin rough and soft greens to make birdies their buddy.
A collection of golfers are in contention, and will continue to push the weekend's cut.
Colombian Camilo Benedetti led the morning wave and was the first of several players to card a six under 66 on day one.
Joining him was New Englander Rob Oppenheim.
Rookie Ben Kohles, who won his first two tour events coming in to vault in to the No. 2 spot on the money list, finished three under par.
Steve Freisen, who equaled the tournament record with a 29 on the front nine last year en route to the Charity Championship title struggled finishing day one even after five bogeys.
James Nitties and Tennessean Doug Barron found themselves on top of the leaderboard, both with eight under par 64's
There are some familiar faces here at Highland Springs. This year's Charity Championship features two hometown heroes.
Springfield Cardinals GM Matt Gifford is playing for his second-straight year, raising money for dozens of children's charities.
He's already doubled last year's figure, with over $40,000 raised.
Springfield native Kevin Kring made the field after monday's qualifier at Rivercut.
His short game struggled. But on his father Keith's birthday the 22-year old Central grad finishes the opening round one stroke under par.
