NATCHEZ — Twenty-one golfers were vying for six spots Saturday in Round 1 of the 2012 Beau Pré Cup Matches Qualifier at Beau Pré Country Club.

None of them finished with a round of even-par 72 or better as they were battling the heat and humidity. However, the six players with the lowest scores were just glad to qualify for this autumn’s Beau Pré Cup Matches between Team Carnoustie and Team St. Andrews, which will take place Oct. 6-7.

Hayden Kaiser III had the low round of the day with a 2-over-par 74. Cole Bradford came in second with a score of 5-over-par 77. Three players tied for third at 6-over-par 78 to get in — Jerry Beauchamp, Chad Huber and Kurt Russ.

A sudden-death playoff determined the sixth person to qualify after four players finished at 7-over-par 79 — Tee Cotten, Craig Bradford, Robin Punches and Joel Dupre’. The playoff started — and finished — on the always-tough par-3 16th hole. Cotten birdied the hole to win the playoff.

“It was very exciting,” Beau Pré President Chuck Fields said.

As for the number of players, Fields said it was a good turnout.

Round 2 of qualifying for the Beau Pré Cup Matches will take place Saturday, Aug. 4.