Eagles take the lead in Gulfport

(GULFPORT)- The Meridian Community College golf team used a 1-under par team score of 287 to take the opening round lead at the Hilton Garden Inn Invitational hosted by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at Windance Country Club.

The under-par round is the third time MCC has fired an even-par or lower team score this fall.

MCC is in first place with 287 and leads the event by 15 shots. Defending NJCAA Division II national champions, John A. Logan (IL) College, is in second with a 302 while South Mountain (AZ) Community College out of Phoenix is in third with a 304.

18 teams are entered into the event with 97 college golfers participating.

"We've had a great fall thus far with two tournament victories and an individual medalist title," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

"But to lead this event with this many quality teams from Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, and Mississippi is quite an accomplishment for the guys. There is still a lot of golf yet to be played but you can't ask for a better opening round."

Individually the Eagles were led by sophomore Cory Williamson who posted a 2-under par score of 70. Williamson's 2-under is leading the event.

Sophomore Garrett Westbrook shot a 1-under par score of 71, freshman Clemens Dvorak shot event par 72.

Freshmen Brandt Garon and Adam Monsen each fired rounds of 2-over par 74, while sophomore Nick Hawkes rounded out MCC's scoring with an 8-over par round of 80.

Final round action will begin Tuesday with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.