SOUTHPORT, N.C. – It was an impressive spring season debut for the Bentley University golf team and junior Dan McQueen (Topsfield, Mass./Masconomet Reg. HS) during the first day of play at the St. James Plantation Invitational at the Founders Club.

With McQueen firing a three-under 69, Bentley stands second in a field of 16 at the tournament's midpoint. The Falcons totaled a 296, two back of California University (Pa.). Other Northeast-10 teams in the tournament include UMass-Lowell (ninth), American International (12th), Assumption College (15th) and Adelphi University (16th).

McQueen, after posting a career-best score, will begin Sunday's final round one stroke back of Paul Babashanian of California (Pa.). The 69 was the best by a Falcon golfer since Kurt Flionis carded a 67 in September 2002 during the Northeast-10 Championships. McQueen was under par on both nines as he went out in a 34 and came back in a 35.

Following McQueen were junior Matt Michel (Danvers, Mass./Danvers HS) and senior Richie Powers (Leominster, Mass./Leominster HS). Michel is tied for 11th with a 74 (35-39) and Powers is tied for 23rd (38-38-76). Senior Nick Clarke (Plymouth, Mass./Cape Cod Academy) turned in a 77 (37-40) and senior Grant Alter (Rancho Sante Fe, Calif./La Jolla Country Day) completed the list of Falcon players, finishing with a 79 (41-38).

Bentley is coming off an outstanding fall, one that saw the Falcons win both the Northeast-10 and New England championships and earn an automatic berth to this May's NCAA Division II Super Regional tournament.

ST. JAMES PLANATION INVITATIONAL

Day 1 of 2

At The Founders Club, Southport, N.C.

Team Standings: 1. California (Pa.) 294, 2. Bentley 296, 3. St. Thomas Aquinas 297, 4. Indiana (Pa.) 298, 5. Millersville 301, 6. Concord 305, 7. Charleston (W.V.) 310, 7. Virginia State 310, 9. UMass-Lowell 312, 10. West Chester 313, 11. Clarion 317, 12. American International 322, 13. Goldey-Beacom 328, 14. Winston-Salem 329, 15. Assumption 333, 16. Adelphi 338.

Top Individuals:  1. Paul Babashanian, Cal. U., 36-32-68; 2. Dan McQueen, Bentley, 34-35-69; 3. Mike Gunderson, St. Thomas Aquinas, 36-35-71; 3. Sylvain Debiais, UMass-Lowell, 36-35-71; 5. Thomas Linehan, St. Thomas Aquinas, 36-36-72; 5. Matthew Morgan, Concord, 35-37-72; 5. Zack Kempa, Indiana (Pa.), 38-34-72.

Other Bentley Scores: t-11. Matt Michel, 35-39-74; t-23. Richie Powers, 38-38-76; t-30. Nick Clarke, 37-40-77; t-44. Grant Alter, 41-38-79.