The first event on the EDGA schedule, the Match Play Championship sponsored by Marquette Savings Bank teed off this morning at 7:30 at Whispering Woods as 30 players were schedule to complete their qualifying rounds. Because of the small size of the field, all players qualified for match play and the defending champion, Breckin Taylor, will receive a first round bye.

Two of the EDGA’s top shooters, Alex Weir and Mike Wolfe, paced the qualifier with rounds of 4-under par 68 closely followed by 8-time EDGA major champion Ron Coleman who completed the round on his home course in 70 strokes. Chase Recio was the only other player to break par, he shot 71.

The afternoon included 15 matches with the winners advancing, along with Taylor, to tomorrow’s second round. The eight winners from the morning matches will advance to the afternoon with the 4 semi-finalists returning to action on Saturday. The champion will be crowned on Sunday where the 2 finalists will vie for the EDGA Match Play Championship trophy. This is the 54th playing of this event.

Click here for complete tournament results.