Paul Kane and 15 other players will tee it up this morning in the second annual match play event that boasts the top 16 finishers and alternates from the season-long Battle Trophy competition. Two rounds will be played today, with the semifinals and finals set for Sunday.

The top six seeds from this year’s Battle Trophy list and three of last year’s four semifinalists return for the second annual Central Virginia Match Play Championships this weekend at Spring Creek Golf Club.

Little, who has dominated Central Virginia amateur golf for the past two years, will lead the field heading into today’s 54-hole annual Jefferson Cup Invitational at Birdwood Golf Club. It is one of only two local tournaments that Little hasn’t won.

The race for the 2008 Battle Trophy is on. Now in the 18th year of competition, the Battle Trophy is one of Central Virginia’s most coveted prizes, annually signifying the region’s top amateur golfer through a points system. Points are awarded in seven local tournaments, along with the Virginia State Amateur and SunTrust of Virginia Open.