CHARLTON, Mass. – The Bentley University golf team opened its fall schedule Sunday afternoon with a strong showing during the first round of the Joe Plante Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Assumption College at the Heritage Country Club.

With all five golfers shooting in the 70's, Bentley finished the day second among five teams, with its 301 score putting the Falcons two back of first-place American International College. Franklin Pierce University will enter Monday's final round in third following a 306.

Junior Malcolm Oliver (Damariscotta, Maine/Lincoln Academy) led the Falcons with his three-over-par 74 putting him third in a field of 30 golfers.  A stroke back of him, in a tie for fourth, was junior Matt Freitag (Cheshire/Hoosac Valley HS).

Bentley co-captains Jon Stoddard (Duxbury/Duxbury HS) and Quincy Coulter (Lake Bluff, Ill./ Lake Forest HS), both seniors, finished the day in a tie for ninth after each shot a 76.

Brad Auclair of Franklin Pierce turned in the day's best score, a one-over 72.

Monday's action will get underway at 8:30 am

JOE PLANTE INVITATIONAL
at Heritage CC, Charlton
Day 1 of 2

Team: 1. American International 299, 2. Bentley 301, 3. Franklin Pierce 306, 4. Assumption 316, 5. Dominican (N.Y.) 327

Top Individuals: 1. Brad Auclair, FPU, 72; 2. Austin Ball, AIC, 73; 3. Malcolm Oliver, Bentley, 74; 4. Matt Freitag, Bentley, 75; 4.  Miguel Siercke, AIC, 75; 4. Troy Miller, MIC, 75; 4. Kyle Gilman, Assumption; 4. Nick Adjutant, FPU, 75

Other Bentley Scores: t-9. Jon Stoddard 76; t-9. Quincy Coulter 76; t-14. Andrew Johnston 79.