The 69th Annual Tennessee Women's Amateur Championship was off to a hot start today at Memphis Country Club.  Contestants qualified in a stroke play round to determine the field and seeding for match play that begins tomorrow, June 24th.  With the town under a heat warning and temperatures reaching into the 100's, one player did not let the heat slow her down.  Scorching her competition, Brooke Pancake (University of Alabama) from Chattanooga, sizzled to the top of the field with score of 73 (36-37) that included three birdies.

Lauren Spurlock of Germantown, and Ashley Lance of Franklin, both finished in tie for second with a 74.  While the difficult course at Memphis Country Club and the blistering heat challenged the contestants, 32 prevailed to the top making up the championship flight.  A fight for the last spot closed today's qualifying with Heather Arnold, Julie Cantrell, Tabitha Beard, and Debbie Richmond competing for the last spot.  Tabitha Beard of Centerville, prevailed as the winner of the playoff, sealing her spot into tomorrow's championship flight.  The remaining contestants were put into five descending flights.

Defending champion Lorie Warren of Hendersonville, will make her first stroke tomorrow as she earned her exemption from today's qualifying thanks to last year's win.  Warren certainly has what it takes to go to the top of the scoreboard.  Several other contenders are on the brink of making their move to the top as competition continues to heat up.   Temperatures are forecasted to reach 98 degrees tomorrow with another heat warning in effect.  Staying focused will be the key to tomorrow's match play and will get these competitors one step closer to capturing the coveted Scott S. Probasco Trophy. The 2009 Tennessee Women's State Amateur Championship will resume again tomorrow with an early 8:00 a.m. tee time.