Frontenac’s Jon Troutman is having quite the time becoming an amateur once again – at the age of 30.

“Playing for fun, there’s no stress. Playing amateur golf, there’s no stress anyway,” Troutman said. “I don’t have to worry about my payheck.”

Though the Osawatomie High graduate is no longer putting for dough, he still managed to put on quite a show in the qualifying rounds of the Kansas Golf Assn. Four-Ball Championships at Alvamar Golf Club.

Along with partner Andrew Emerson, Troutman combined to shoot scores of 64 and 66 to gain the top seed in the 32-team match-play tournament that begins today.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to come out and compete,” Troutman said. “I don’t get that many opportunities to come out and play, so when I do, I like to take advantage of it.”

After attending Pittsburg State, Troutman went to Florida, where he competed professionally for five years. He then returned to Kansas to get what he calls a “real job,” working in health care and golfing on the weekends as a member of Crestwood Country Club in Pittsburg.

The two impressive rounds came as a bit of a surprise, since he had not competed at Alvamar since the Kansas Open in 1998.

“The last two days are the best I’ve ever played here,” Troutman said. “Alvamar’s always had my number.”

The course did manage to dishearten the team of Gary Woodland and Kyle Trammell on Wednesday, with the pair shooting a 69 to fall to the 11th seed overall.

Woodland has won the Four-Ball Championship with different teammates the last two years.

“We were frustrated all day,” Woodland said. “We wanted to get ourselves in a position, but now everybody’s square-up. It doesn’t matter where you’re at now.”

That’s because with the match-play format, the rules become simple: Win five straight matches over three days, and the championship is yours.

“I’ve been very fortunate the last two years. We’ve played well at the right times, and that’s what it’s all about,” Woodland said. “You’ve got to play well in match play, and you’ve got to get lucky too.”

Despite Wednesday’s struggles, Woodland believes he and his Kansas University teammate will complement each other well in the four-ball format.

Trammell is known for his straight and accurate ball, whereas Woodland plays more of a power game.

“With him in the fairway on most holes,” Woodland said, “it gives me the confidence so I can step up and hit one.”

The two also have the luxury of knowing the surroundings. Alvamar serves as the home course for KU in the spring, which means both golfers are accustomed to the tough greens that are often fast with subtle breaks.

Woodland said that would provide an important advantage, especially if he and Trammell were to meet up with Troutman and Emerson.

“It’s tough to count us out. This is our home course,” Woodland said. “They’re going to have to come beat us at our place. Obviously we didn’t play well today, but that’s why we play tomorrow.”

Ryan Spears and Brad Boan shot a pair of 66s to gain the No. 2 seed, with Gary Lucas and CC Metzler earning the third position.

Troutman and Emerson will open the 16-match first round this morning, facing No. 32 Doug Anderson and Corliss Nelson at 7:30.

Round Two will follow at 12:30 p.m.

“It’s match play – it’s head-to-head,” Woodland said. “This is what we live for. This is why we play the game.”