Godwin in position to capture crown

~ The Poplar Bluff man, who won the state amateur title, is one stroke back.

Before the golf season draws to a close, Ben Godwin of Poplar Bluff is trying to turn a great year into a sensational one.

Godwin, who got married in the spring, won his second Missouri Amateur championship in June, and after Saturday's first round of the Missouri Mid-Amateur Championship at Dalhousie Golf Club, he was in position to add another accomplishment to his growing resume.

He sat one stroke behind leader Tom Barry of St. Louis after a 1-over-par 73. Godwin was tied with Andy Bartholomy and Thomas Martin, while three players were another stroke back.

"I've never won this one," Godwin said, moments after watching an 8-foot birdie putt miss just left on the par-5 18th to end his round. "I'd like to win it at some point. This is as good a year as any. You don't get to have many tournaments in this area. It'd be nice to have someone around here win it."

After two bogeys in his first four holes, Godwin birdied three holes in a row on the front nine, capped by a 110-yard wedge shot to within a foot on the par 5 No. 7. He finished the front at even par and had two birdies and three bogeys on the back.

It was the third round at Dalhousie for Godwin, who played on a state championship golf team at Poplar Bluff High School in 1988 and was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame earlier this month.

"It's a good golf course -- a great golf course," Godwin said. "I think even par is going to be a very good score and have a very good chance."

Barry, who came in after Godwin and Martin, offset four bogeys with four birdies to finish at even par, shooting 35 on the front and 37 on the back.

Martin is playing in his first Missouri amateur tournament and made a statement with a 2-under-par 34 on the front. A potential great round took a hit with a triple-bogey on the par-4 16th hole.

"I'd be very surprised if I'm tied for the lead because there's so many fine players," said Martin, who was in the second group to go off No. 1 and finished well before Barry posted his 72. "But I'm happy to get a good round under my belt, and we'll see what happens tomorrow."

While the eventual champion remains a mystery, it's a good bet it won't be defending champion Dee Sanders of Columbia.

"Former champion is what they call it now," Sanders said smiling after his opening round of 82. "I was defending on the first tee."

Sanders got off to bad start with a double bogey on No. 3 and a triple-bogey on the next hole. He followed that with a pair of bogeys.

The best scores among the local entries belonged to Cape Girardeau's Bryan Johnson and Jeff Patton. Both shot 76s and were among five golfers tied for ninth place. Ben Cantrell of Cape Girardeau shot a 79 and was tied for 28th place.

The leaders are scheduled to tee off today at 1:06 p.m. The public is invited.