By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

COLLEGE GROVE, Tenn. – Day one of the Intercollegiate at The Grove is officially in the books for the Tennessee Tech men's golf team. The Golden Eagle wrapped up the first of three rounds of action at The Grove Club in College Grove, Tenn. Sunday afternoon with a score of 304.

Tech's first-round total tied the team for 11^th among 14 teams, sharing the ranking with Mercer and South Dakota State. The University of Tennessee led all teams following the first round, firing a 4-under 284 to sit eight shots ahead of second place.

For the purple and gold, it was Cookeville native Will Brooks leading the way with a 2-over 74. The junior racked up 14 pars and a birdie over his first 18 holes of the 54-hole event. He also ranked in a tie for 24^th among the field of 88 golfers.

Sophomore Chance Taylor also totaled 14 pars and a birdie during his first round at The Grove, finishing the day just a shot back of Brooks with a 3-over 75. His score was good enough to tie for 27^th overall. Next in line among the Golden Eagle participants was freshman Nick Sutton. A total of 13 pars propelled the rookie to a 5-over 77, ranking him in a tie for 49^th.

A pair of seniors rounded out the Golden Eagle lineup competing on Sunday, with Dabney Dickenson carding a 78 to tie for 59^th. Dickenson birdied a pair of holes and eagled the par-5 seventh during his round. Wiley veteran Cameron Yeary posted an 82 to complete the action for Tech.

It was Lamar's Hugo Hellman that led all individuals in the first round, finishing with a 5-under 67.

Round two of the Intercollegiate at The Grove is set for a 9 a.m. CT shotgun start Monday morning. 

Photo by Thomas Corhern