MISSOULA - JoAnne Steele and Rose Stepanek have spent a lot of time together on the golf course, but this was different.

Steele, coach of the Montana women's golf team, and Stepanek, one of her top players from Billings, competed against one another in the same grouping Thursday at the Women's State Amateur. They battled 99-degree heat and wind gusts of up to 20 mph at The Ranch Club, but that's not what they'll remember most about Day One of the three-day event.

";It's kind of weird because I'm used to being able to look over and ask my coach questions, ask what she thinks about a shot. There were a few times where I was really tempted." said Stepanek, who fired a 4-over-par 76 and sits three strokes back of surprise leader Julie Campbell of Bozeman.

Helena's Lindsey Erickson leads a group of Capital City golfers, shooting an 81 for a six-way tie for seventh place. Mary Bryson, meanwhile, is in second in the Senior Women's group.

Steele saw advantages to squaring off against the senior-to-be.

";I'm usually trying to pump them up, keep them positive," said the Missoulian, who fired a 77. ";Today I had to focus on my own game and there were times I wanted to go over there when something didn't go right for her and say 'It's OK Rose' and give her a hug.

";But it was really good for both of us. We saw a whole different side of who we are as players."

Thursday marked the first time in five years Steele has played in the State Am. She underwent a heart transplant in 2006.

";I think since this was in Missoula it was a great opportunity to get back in competitive golf," she said. ";Like my brother (John Roberts) said, I won before I stepped on the course today because I'm able to be out here and alive to be able to do it"

Steele, who boasts the lowest handicap in the tournament field at 1.1, salvaged a generally frustrating day of putting by sinking a 35-footer on the No. 18 green. Stepanek walked away wanting to play two holes over again.

";I messed up Nos. 2 and 17 pretty bad so I have a bone to pick with them tomorrow," she said. ";Besides those two holes I played even.

";But tournaments aren't won and lost on the first day. It's a marathon not a sprint, so the next two days are what matter."

Campbell recently graduated from Bozeman High and is headed to Dartmouth College. She plans on playing golf for the Big Green.

Campbell started her round with a birdie Thursday and matched the feat on Nos. 15 and 17.

";I like the course a lot," she said. ";I played here for a high school tournament and also shot 73.

";I had to really scramble on a couple holes, especially on No. 2. I hit my second shot way down the hill into the fescue and couldn't see the pin and had to guess where I was going. But I hit my third shot just over the green."

Campbell says she approaches tournaments differently since committing to play on the NCAA Division I level.

";I really beat myself up in high school and before that because I kept thinking if I didn't play well I wouldn't be able to play in college," she said. ";Now I'm playing for me and nothing else and I know I have have more golf in my future."

Campbell holds a two-stroke lead over Jennifer Orchard of Polson. Stepanek is in third place and Steele is tied for fourth with Haylee Folkvord of Bozeman.

In the Senior Am, Missoula's Julie Andrews Jones shot a 79 Thursday to grab a share of the lead with Sue Bryant of Bozeman. Two-time defending champion Susan Matson of Laurel struggled in posting a score of 90.

The 92nd State Am continues Friday and will conclude with 18 holes on Saturday at the Ranch Club. Steele and Stepanek will tee off at 7 a.m. Friday and Campbell at 7:20.