Texas State Open

Round 1 Recap

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                             ONE PAGE PRESS RELEASE

Date:                       July 11, 2006

Contact:                                 Jared Nowak

                                                972-765-6617

FLORES LEADS BY ONE AFTER ROUND ONE OF THE 36^th TEXAS STATE OPEN

TYLER, Texas – Martin Flores of Mansfield, TX is the clubhouse leader after the opening round of the Texas State Open at the Cascades.  Flores got off to a quick start this morning by making five (5) birdies on the front nine to go out in 30.  He hit his approach close on hole #10 and knocked in another birdie propelling him to a 30-33-63 (7-under par).  Martin said of his round, “I played solid all day long, I was hitting my approaches well, and not leaving myself much work on the putting green.”

Flores is a 2004 graduate from the University of Oklahoma, where he played collegiate golf.  He also won twice earlier this season on the Northern Texas PGA Players’ Tour, capturing victories at Fazio at Stonebriar and Timarron Country Club.  This is the third appearance for Flores in the Texas State Open; he competed previously in 2000 and 2004. 

The afternoon rounds saw great scoring conditions as well, two players are one shot back of Flores at the conclusion of play.  Brian Marini of Austin, TX used a string of six (6) birdies to finish with a 33-31-64 (6-under par).  “I just needed to hit the green today.  I was rolling the ball so well all the way around,” Marini stated at the conclusion of his round.  Joining Marini at six under par was Franklin Hatchett of Dallas, TX, who finished with birdies on holes #16, #17 and added an eagle on hole #18.  Hatchett’s double bogey on the third hole got him focused, as he proceeded to make eight (8) birdies and an eagle to card a 34-30-64 (6-under par).

Also in the field, defending Texas State Open champion, Kelly Grunewald of Grand Prairie, TX sits four shots back of Flores after posting a round of 34-33-67 (3-under par.)  Following round one, there are currently 32 players at even par or better. 

The 72-hole stroke play event consists of 156 contestants comprised of 24 amateurs and 134 professionals.  The field will play 36 holes before being cut to the low 55 scores and ties.  All four rounds will be contested at The Cascades a 6,868 yard, par 70 layout located in Tyler, Texas.  The total estimated purse is $125,000, with $22,500 awarded to the champion. 

The 2006 Texas State Open at The Cascades is sponsored by Ashworth, KETK NBC 56, Park Cities Bank and Residence Inn Marriott.

Round two will commence at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday.  Admission is free and the event is open to the public. 

Please note: (a) denotes amateur.

First round scores follow below: