HERSHEY, Pa. – The Bentley University Falcons finished the opening day of the NCAA Division II Golf East/Atlantic Super Regional in 12th place, in a field of 20, after posting a 323 score at the rainy Hershey Country Club East Course Monday.

Bentley was fifth amongst East Region teams, matching its seed entering the tournament, and will begin Tuesday's second round 10 strokes back of the top five.

The Falcons were led by sophomore Harry Kirkpatrick (Lancester, Mass./Nashoba Reg. HS). He birdied two of his first four holes, the 393-yard par-4 10th and the 187-yard par-3 13th, and finished with a seven-over 78.  That put him in a tie for 20th out of 108 golfers.

Bentley also received 80s from both senior Richie Powers (Leominster, Mass./Leominster HS) and junior Dan McQueen (Topsfield, Mass./Masconomet Reg. HS). Powers had two birds and McQueen had one.  McQueen started strong with a 36 over the back nine before finishing with a 44 over the front. Powers was more consistent, going out with a 39 and finishing with a 41.

Wilmington (Del.) tops the team standings with its 301 giving the Wildcats a six-stroke lead over Indiana University (Pa.). Rounding out the top five are UMass-Lowell (310), St. Thomas Aquinas (312) and Concord College (313).

Tied for the individual lead after the opening day are Jordan Eck of California (Pa.), Thomas Linehan of St. Thomas Aquinas and Wilmington's Paul Tighe. All shot a one-over 71.

The top five teams and the top four individuals who are not on those teams will advance to the NCAA Championships later this month. 

NCAA DIV. II EAST/ATLANTIC SUPER REGIONAL

At Hershey Country Club East Course, Hershey, Pa.

Day 1 of 3

Team Standings: 1. Wilmington (Del.) 301; 2. Indiana (Pa.) 307; 3. UMass-Lowell 310; 4. St. Thomas Aquinas 312; 5. Concord 313; 6. California (Pa.) 314, 7. Bluefield State 316; 7. Post 316; 9. Charleston (W.V.) 320; 10. Davis & Elkins 322; 10. Goldey Beacom 322; 12. Bentley 323; 13. Fayetteville State 324; 14. Dowling 325; 15. Clarion 327; 16. American International 329; 17. Mercyhurst 331; 18. Adelphi 332; 19. West Chester 334; 20. Franklin Pierce 342.

Top Individuals: 1. Jordan Eck, California (Pa.) 72; 1. Thomas Linehan, St. Thomas Aquinas, 72; 1. Paul Tighe, Wilmington, 72; 4. Jerry Temple, Jr., Wilmington, 73; 4. Joshua Mau, UMass-Lowell, 73; 4. Nathan Pereira, AIC, 73.

Bentley Scores: t-20. Harry Kirkpatrick, 78; t-38. Dan McQueen, 80; t-38. Richie Powers, 80; t-78. Grant Alter, 85; t-83. Nick Clarke, 86