Morning rain played havoc with the first day of the South Dakota Mid-Amateur Two-Man and Senior Two-Man Golf Championships Saturday at Arrowhead Country Club.

The mid-amateurs - playing in the morning with 7:30 a.m. tee times - were able to complete their round, but a two-hour mid-day rain delay made for a very long day on the course. The seniors were not as fortunate as the first round of the Senior Two-Man was washed out.

On the positive side, a pair of Rapid City golfers, Jeff Salter and Jon Lesselyoung grabbed the first-day lead in the championship flight of the mid-amateur carding a 66. That was three shots better than the 69 of Jeff Stockert and Bob Hilgemann of Aberdeen. Salter and Lesselyoung were able to overcome the worst of the weather with a couple of early birdies and used that early momentum to carry them through the remainder of the round.

"We played pretty well today in very difficult conditions," Lesselyoung said. "Or rather Jeff played really well. I didn't make a whole lot today. Jeff birdied 2 and 3 and then we had the delay, but actually it was nice because they got us back out since it was nice this afternoon and we kept it together."

Salter, who recently captured the amateur portion of the Dakotas Tour Arrowhead Pro-am, took a more balanced outlook in describing the team's play in the very trying conditions.

"We played well today as a team. Jon and I kind of ham and egg it and it worked today," he said. "There were some wet spots out there, but the course drains well and the greens were awesome. It was tough early, but the conditions don't favor anyone. It's just hard for everybody."

Defending champion Ryan Jansa, the all-time leader in SDGA titles, along with partner Steve Reiter were third with a 70 while three teams posted 71s.

Though the inclement weather necessitated a change in venues as both championships are scheduled to conclude today. The mid-amateurs will now move to The Golf Club at Red Rock for the final 18 beginning at 8:15 a.m. The senior two-man event will play at Arrowhead Country Club in a one-day 27-hole format beginning at 7:30 a.m. with groups teeing off on both No. 1 and No. 10.