Qualifying for the last four spots in the HP Byron Nelson started out Monday in the rain. It cleared up so all players teed off on time. The Lakes at Castle Hills was set up by the Northern Texas Section of PGA of America to challenge the players. It was playing over 7,200 yards and the wind was blowing 20 MPH with gusts to 30 MPH.

The field was 89 players. It was a mixture of journeyman professionals, young college players who have just turned professional and even a few amateurs. On site were well known PGA TOUR names like Ted Purdy, Robert Gamez, Frank Lickliter, Paul Stankowski, Kent Jones, Arjun Atwal, Eric Axley, Glen Day and Jason Allred. There were USGA Champions playing and Walker Cup players. The spectators consisted of friends and family. The caddies ranged from PGA TOUR Caddies to friends, brothers and dads. There were players carrying their own bag and some using push-carts. It was a step back in time when anyone could pay a fee and tee it up to see if they could qualify for a PGA TOUR event. These players had accomplished a lot just to get to this Monday qualifying but it still seemed like old times. A true meritocracy where it does not matter what you have done in the past. The only thing that matters is what you do on this day, at this event, on this course. The best scores advance. The others move on.

With about half of the field still on the course and the clouds building up the NTPGA blew the horn for play to be halted. The course was cleared and almost on schedule a tremendous storm blew in with over one inch of rain and high winds. All players were safe inside but play was called for the day. Play will resume at 8:00 AM on Tuesday.

Follow the results on-line with the link below.

http://ntpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/ntpga14/event/ntpga1414/contest/1/leaderboard.htm