FROM STAFF REPORTS

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of Montevallo men’s golf team opened the spring portion of its 2012-2013 schedule with a 8-over par 292 in the opening round of the Spring Kick-Off Intercollegiate at the Fleming Island Golf Club.

The Falcons, who entered the spring ranked No. 16 in the GolfStat NCAA Division II head-to-head rankings, are currently six strokes behind tournament leader Georgia Southwestern State University heading into the final round of the tournament Feb. 12.

“Today’s first round was a solid start for the team,” said Montevallo coach Justin Pratt. “We had a couple guys play well and a couple that didn’t play great but kept it together to post a couple scores that kept us in it. Juan Noce had a breakthrough round of 2 under 69. He has been playing and hitting it great and it was just a matter of time before it came together. Conner Godsey came in at even par but felt like he left a few shots out there. It is great to be near the top with a chance to win and I am confident the guys will be prepared to play their best and bring the best out in each other.”

Freshman Juan Noce is currently in a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard after firing a 2-under par 69 in the first round of the tournament. Noce is tied with Brian Denton of Wingate University and Nate Gahman of Georgia Southwestern on the leaderboard.

Junior Conner Godsey carded an even par 71 in the first round, which placed him in a five-way tie for fourth overall in individual standings in the tournament.

Senior Andrew Lowry shot a 4-over par 75 in the opening round, which placed him in a tie for 26^th in individual standings. Freshman Dalton Skinner carded a 6-over par 77 in the first round of the tournament and currently sits 43^rd in individual standings.

Freshman Daniel Schroder rounded out the group of Montevallo golfers with his 18-over par 89 in the opening round, which placed him in a tie for 85^th in individual standings.