BEATRICE – Southeast Community College Golf Coach Calvin Freeman of Table Rock is tied for the lead after the first day of qualifying in the Nebraska Match Play tournament at Beatrice Country Club.

Freeman fired a six-under-par 66 reeling off four straight birdies on the front nine, and is tied with Bennington’s Johnny Spellerberg, who also shot 66.  Reed Malleck of York is two shots back with a four-under 68, which included a five-under front nine score of 31.  Two golfers are tied for fourth….with rounds of 69…..Thomas Gatlin and David Easley…both of Lincoln.

Among Beatrice Country Club golfers participating in the Nebraska Golf Association tournament, Beatrice High School State Champion Trey Baehr had a first-round 74….who along with Graham Southwick are with a group of ten golfers tied for 31st going into the final qualifying round. Beatrice golfer Joel Brueggeman had a first round 77 and Andrew Paquette, a 78.

During the first round, 21 golfers out of the field of more than 150….shot par or better.

Today is the final qualifying day, with match play beginning tomorrow, at Beatrice Country Club.