Connelly in 1st, Hawks in 2nd after Rd. 1 of O’Briant-Jensen

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Junior Mark Connelly turned in his best round of varsity golf and the Huntingdon men's golf team shot 8-over-par 292 in the opening round of the O'Briant-Jensen Memorial on Monday.

The top-ranked Hawks are two strokes out of first entering Tuesday's final round at the Sedgefield Country Club. Fifth-ranked Methodist leads the 20-team tournament with a 6-over 290. The field features seven teams ranked nationally, including five top-12 teams.

Connelly led the tournament on Monday with a 3-under 68. The 68 is Connelly's best round in varsity competition with the Hawks. As a sophomore, Connelly shot a 5-under 67 with the Huntingdon B-Team.

Junior Stephen Shephard, coming off his second career tournament win, is three strokes behind Connelly and in fourth with an even-par 71.

Rounding out the top five, senior Jon Colten Stanaland shot 4-over 75 in the first round and is tied for 26th, sophomore Drew Mathers shot 78 and is tied for 54th and junior Henry Gee shot 79 and is tied for 64th.

Playing as an individual, freshman Ben Harris shot 3-over 74 on Monday and is tied for 16th.

Director of Golf Dave Schreyer on Round 1: "Sedgefield Dye is considered one of the hardest courses in North Carolina and the rain and wind today made it almost  impossible. Still, the boys played fantastic until late when we lost seven shots over the last two holes. I am hoping we can close better on Tuesday."

Coming Up: Huntingdon will play in Round 2 of the O'Briant-Jensen Memorial on Tuesday.