By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team put a stamp on the first day of action at the seventh annual Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate Sunday afternoon, finishing 10^th among the tournament's largest field to date of 15 teams.

Competing on the River Course at Sevierville Golf Club, the Golden Eagles posted a 296 to sit just six shots back of third place, currently occupied by Carson-Newman and IUPUI. Tech also owned a two-shot lead over Detroit Mercy.

Enjoying a brilliant start to the three-day event was junior Cameron Yeary, who climbed into the clubhouse with an even-par 72. He tied for 16^th among the field of 90, racking up 14 pars along the way to pace the Golden Eagles.

Senior Matthew Giles ranked next among the Tech lineup, tying for 31^st after posting a two-over 74. He tied for the fifth-most pars in the tournament field, tallying 13 on the day.

Tying for 45^th with scores of 75 were freshman Bryce Beeler and sophomore Will Brooks. The rookie Beeler recorded a team-high 15 pars to rank in a tie for third among the tournament field.

Rounding out the Golden Eagle starting five was sophomore Bracton Womack, who finished in a tie for 63 after carding a 77.

Competing as individual, freshman Cade Puryear matched the effort of Yeary to tie for 16^th overall, producing a season-low 72 in just his second career event. The rookie also ranked among tournament leaders with 14 pars over the first 18 holes.

Also among the individual ranks were junior Dabney Dickenson and freshman Chance Taylor. Dickenson turned in a 79 while Taylor completed the day with an 85.

Lee University represented the tournament leader after day one of action, amassing a 12-under 276. Lee's Scott Odell and Eastern Kentucky's Martin Eliasson tied for the individual lead through round one, each carding a 5-under 67.

The Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate will continue Monday morning with team's beginning play with an 11:00 a.m. CT shotgun start.

Photo by Thomas Corhern