ORLANDO, Fla. -- Five-person teams from Michigan and Minnesota shared the lead in the gross division, while teams from Georgia, Indiana, and Ohio led the net division after Thursday's opening round of the 2004 Buick Scramble National Championships.
A total of 214 teams representing 39 states throughout the U.S. and six teams from Canada were competing on six Orlando area courses for a combined $287,200 purse.
Forest Lake Country Club of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., led by PGA Professional John Pershern, and Faribault Golf & Country Club of Faribault, Minn., led by PGA Professional Mike Flaherty, led the gross division on 15-under-par 57.
In the net division, three teams were tied for the lead: PGA Professional Ben Berger's Harrison Hills Golf & Country Club of Attica, Ind., Rodger Hogan's Royal Lakes Country Club of Flowery Branch, Ga., and Jeffrey Bill's West Chester of Canal Winchester, Ohio, at net 16-under-par 56.
The 72-hole tournament, taking place Oct. 7-10, is played on six Orlando-area courses, including Orange County National's Panther Lake and Crooked Cat Courses; Walt Disney World's Magnolia and Palm Courses; Celebration Golf Club and The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Grande Lakes Orlando.
Following the third round on Saturday, a cut will be made to the low 24 teams in each division for the final round on Sunday. Gross division teams advancing to the final round will play on The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, with the net division teams playing at Walt Disney World's Magnolia Course.
The tournament's official Web site, , will provide continuous leader board updates throughout tournament week.
The Buick Scramble is in its 21st season as the world's largest amateur golf tournament, and third year under the Buick banner. Sanctioned by the PGA of America, 214 teams (109 gross, 105 net) will compete for national championship honors and a purse of more than $285,000 (cash for PGA Professionals, gift certificates for amateurs).
The Official Car of The PGA of America and the PGA Tour, Buick is title sponsor of four PGA Tour events and presenting sponsor of the PGA Club Professional Championship. Buick has an endorsement agreement with Tiger Woods, who is the honorary chairman of the Buick Scramble. For compete information on the 2004 Buick Scramble National Championships, please visit , or contact the Buick Scramble hotline at 800-582-1908.
