ALLENDALE, Mich. -- Barry University's No. 1-ranked men's golf team is in third place after the first round of the NCAA Division II Championships Monday.
The Buccaneers shot 292, five strokes behind leader Nova Southeastern at The Meadows Golf Course's par-71, 7,034-yard layout at Grand Valley State University. Chico State is a stroke ahead of Barry. Cal State Monterey Bay is fourth at 300, and Indiana-Pennsylvania fifth at 301 in the 54-hole stroke play portion of the 20-team championship event.
Barry junior Berry Jole and sophomore Adam Svensson each shot par in the opening round to enter the clubhouse in a six-way tie for second, one stroke behind leader Mitch Farrer of Nova.
Barry senior Jared Dalga, who grew up in nearby Grand Rapids, Michigan, is tied for 24th following his opening round 4-over 75. Bucs senior Scott Smyers is also lumped in the 12-way tie for 24th after using a hole-in-one on the 203-yard 13th to anchor his 75. Freshman Mario Beltran shot 77 in the first round, and sits in a tie for 47th in the 108-player field.
The top eight teams after the three-round stroke play advance to match play, beginning Thursday. The champion will be decided Friday.
Jole had four birdies and three bogeys. Svensson had three birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey. He had back-to-back birdies on the par 4 10th and 11th holes.
Dalga had two birdies, both on par-5s. Smyers had a birdie to go along with his ace. Beltran birdied the par-5 4th.
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