GSW eighth, UNG 15th after first round of NCAA Championships

WARREN, OHIO – Georgia Southwestern is seeded eighth and North Georgia 15th after the opening round of the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championships on Monday. GSW shot five over 293 and is nine strokes off the lead. UNG shot 301 on the 7,287-yard par-72 layout at Avalon Lakes Golf Club in Warren.

GSW made the turn at +4 but keyed back nine and shot one over as a team. The Hurricanes had 13 birdies and an eagle in their round, including five holes 14-17.

Chase McLain is tied for eighth in the individual standings after shooting a two-under 70, which included an eagle on the par-5 14th hole. Erik Fogel is tied for 22nd after shooting, while Payne Sells is 48th after shooting a 75. Jack Tharrington is 60th and Trey Odom is 107th.

North Georgia saw its share of bogeys on the opening nine, but rallied to start the back nine as five players racked up nine birdies on holes 10-14. But the final stretch proved difficult, especially the 18th, as all five players had bogey or worse on the final hole.

Stephen Kinsel finished two over 74 and tied for 40th place. Hughes Threlkeld and Will Chambless trailed with three-over 75s to tie for 48. Evan Thompson finished with a five-over 77 for 71st, with Noah Zediker tied for 79th and 86th.

Missouri S&T leads the tournament after posting a four-under 284, two strokes ahead of Grand Valley State and Oklahoma Christian. On Tuesday and Wednesday, two more stroke play rounds will be played; the top eight teams will play against each other on Thursday and Friday.