DANIELS, W.V. – Led by junior Cal Meyers (Richfield, Wisc./Slinger HS) and sophomore Doug Kulikowski (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland HS), the Bentley University golf team finished the opening day of the 2017 NCAA Division II East/Atlantic Regional ninth among 20 squads at The Resort at Glade Springs.

Bentley posted a 307 with the Falcons nine strokes back of day one leader Mercyhurst University (298) and five out of the top four. The top four following Wednesday's action will advance to the NCAA Division II Championships in Kissimmee, Fla. later this month.

Despite playing in chilly and windy conditions, coach Mickey Herron's team started strong and was just nine over as a team following 12 holes. However, all five Falcons bogeyed or double-bogeyed the 210-yard par-3 13th with Bentley losing six strokes to par on that hole alone.

Meyers and Kulikowski both turned in a three-over-par 75 with each recording a dozen pars and two birdies. Meyers went out in 37 and came back with a 38 while Kulikowski's numbers were just the opposite. The two are tied for 16th place in a field of 107.

Also counting for the Falcons were juniors Chris Ehl (Reading, Mass./Reading HS) and Brett Chatfield (Attleboro, Mass./Bishop Feehan). Ehl finished the day tied for 42nd with a 78 and Chatfield turned in a 79, good for a tie for 58th.

At the top of the leaderboard are Chris Kupniewski (Mercyhurst) and Hunter Wescott (Dominican, N.Y.), both with a three-under 69.

Bentley will play during the afternoon session Tuesday, with tee times ranging from noon to 12:40 pm.