LITTLE ROCK — A glance inside Kyle Thompson’s golf cart revealed an unorthodox survival kit for the sweltering temperatures during the Fourth of July Championship.
Three packs of cigarettes, a couple cans of beer and a half-full bottle of Gatorade were in the cup-holders of Thompson’s card during Saturday’s opening round at War Memorial Golf Course in Little Rock.
“Can’t do without the cigarettes,” said Thompson, who shot a 1-over 65 and is six strokes off the lead. “It calms my nerves, but I don’t smoke a lot other than on the golf course.”
Thompson is tied for eighth with last year’s champion, Nick Wilson, after 18 holes of the 54-hole event that resumes today and concludes Wednesday.
Mike Satterwhite, Trey Schaap and Nick Benton are in a three-way tie at the top after shooting 5-under 59s.
Chris Jenkins, Baxter Woosley and Lyle Middleton are four strokes behind the top three at 1-under 63, with Drew Nicholls another stroke back at 64.
Most of the competitors in the 31-man championship flight are accustomed to searing conditions and know how to stave off maladies such as heat stroke.
Jenkins said he begins preparing the night before when playing in conditions like Saturday’s 103-degree heat.
“I drink a lot of water at night,” Jenkins said. “If I know I’m going to be out here in this, I drink as much as I can stand. I usually sweat it out pretty quick, but at least I have something to sweat out.”
Officials at War Memorial placed ice-filled coolers with bottled water around the course. In addition, players in the Arkansas State Golf Association are allowed to wear shorts and ride in carts, something not allowed on the PGA Tour.
PGA players also battled 100-degree heat Friday at Congressional during the second round of the AT&T National and there were some casualties. Chris Couch sought medical attention and struggled to finish the round, one caddie stopped after nine holes and a second threw up near the 13th hole after drinking too much water.
“We’re riding around out in carts. We can wear shorts. We’ve got coolers filled up with water and Gatorade,” Jenkins said. “I’m glad we’re not on the tour playing right now.”
Not everybody rode.
Benton, a Cabot native and UALR junior, walked the course with girlfriend Catherine Dolan, who plays at Missouri State.
“She just came down for the weekend, and I want to spend as much time with her as possible,” Benton said. “Walking, you can soak it all in.”
Adam Carpenter, who plays college golf at Abilene (Texas) Christian but is from Little Rock, was right at home on the hard, fast and hilly 4,200-yard layout.
“This feels like west Texas where I play in college,” said Carpenter, who shot an 8-over 72. “The ball rolls forever.”
Thompson, meanwhile, drank three cans of beer and three bottles of Gatorade over a 3 1/2-hour round, and had another means to handle the heat.
“I’ve got a towel that I use,” Thompson said. “I put it around my neck every three holes, drink lots of fluids, lots of Gatorade.”
Information for this article was contributed by the Associated Press.
Sports, Pages 28 on 07/01/2012