By Mark Rountree, Sports Editor

Defending champion Andrew Green led a youthful assault on par Saturday in the opening round of the Wheat Capital Tournament.

Green, a sophomore at the University of Central Oklahoma, recorded eight birdies en route to a 65 on Saturday at Meadowlake Golf Course.

And it could have been better. Green, a 6-foot-6 long-knocker, made bogey on two of his last three holes and still carded a round of 6-under par.

Using his prodigious length, Green made five birdies on the front nine and three more on the back.

Green topped a cast of several young golfers who separated themselves from the field.

Enid standout and Univesity of Tulsa signee Chris Worrell came in with a 34-33-67, tied for second with Austin Bowman, a UCO junior who carded a 36-31-67.

Two-time WCT champion Todd Dayton, 26, had a 35-34-69.

Enid native Brandon Gainer, 26, had a 33-38-71, while UCO sophomore Dillon Rust came in at 32-39-71.

Local standout Jay Betchan led the local adult contingent with a 37-34-71.

Meadowlake club professional Cody Lack said the course was set up with fair but generous hole positions.

“We want everybody to have a good time and have a chance to make a lot of birdies,’’ he said. 

The second and final round of the tournament is today, and depending on the weather, the tournament record could be in danger.

Brooks Ratzlaff fired a 36-hole score of 135 in 2001 to set the mark. Green won with a 136 last year.

“It’s doable,’’ said Lack. “Andrew has the ability to go that low.’’

Lack said even though Green set the early pace, several players could make a run today.

“There is still 18 holes to play,’’ said Lack. “There are seven or eight guys on the board capable of shooting those low numbers.’’

Wheat Capital Tournament

Saturday

At Meadowlake Golf Course

Today’s tee times and first-round scores

Championship flight

12:07 - Troy Boler (80), Neil Oxford (79), Corey Boler (78).

12:15 - Todd Holland (76), Walker Henson (76), Brad Carstens (76), Justin Ramer (75).

12:23 - Jon Cline (74), Jerod Luttrell (74), Nick Bulla (74), Logan Waresback (74).

12:30 - Austin Perigo (72), Jay Betchan (71), Dillon Rust (71), Brandon Gainer (71).

12:45 - Todd Dayton (69), Austin Bowman (67), Chris Worrell (67), Andrew Green (65).

First flight

11:15 - Lance Gray (84), Byron Gainer (84), Troy Rasp (83).

11:23 - Leroy Fox (81), Curtis Gay (80), Danny Guerra (79).

11:30 - Jim Lack (78), Allen Glaser (78), Dai Kim (77), Kenny Moore (77).

11:45 - Keith Broyles (76), Tony Edwards (75), John Peterson (75), Taylor Randolph (72).

Second flight

10:23 - Cody Metoyer (99), Terry Charles (93), Pat Doucet (89).

10:30 - Randy Brunken (84), Travis Gay (84), Stan Harris (83).

10:37 - Jerry Bamburg (83), Terry Fetty (83), Joe Armstrong Jr. (81), Nathan Nance (80).

10:45 - Mike McGreevy (80), Keith Nance (79), Bill Heizer (77), Jimmy Smart (76).

Third flight

9:45 - Monty Lorenz (97), John Kang (92), Luis Ramanos (89).

9:53 - Ed King (89), Oscar Wantiez (86), Jim Fournier (86).

10 - Paul Mastrianni (84), Ashton Armstrong (83), Eric Sinning (83).

10:07 - Alan Camp (83), Jason Smart (80), Steve Kirk (77), Jim Holloway (76).

Fourth flight

9 - Corey Holden (97), Bob Adamson (96), Don Clark (92).

9:07 - Joe Armstrong Sr. (91), Brady Schultz (89), Carson Moats (89).

9:15 - Bill Noak (87), Jim Pearce (87), Danny Goff (86).

9:23 - Daniel Patterson (85), Jerry Smith (84), Ray Laubach (82), Kenny Shaw (80).

Fifth flight

8:23 - Ben Franklin (110), Jack McGee (95), Earl Boone (95), Bruce Lack (94).

8:30 - Marty Kelso (94), Chang Sik Yi (93), Lance Norris (93), John Walkup (91).

8:45 - Brandon Pecha (88), Pat Sughru (86), Randy Newman (83), David Norton (83).

Sixth flight

8:00 - Roger Graham (103), Rod Randall (98), Bob Campbell (96), Phil Schloss (89).

8:08 - Dan Cagle (88), John Edwards (87), Stan Botts (85), Chad Capra (83).