WILSON, N.C. – In its spring opener, the Bentley University golf team finished the first day of the Barton Invitational at the Wilson Country Club in a tie for 9th place after turning in a 311. A total of 16 teams are participating in the two-day event.

Senior Malcolm Oliver (Damariscotta, Maine/Lincoln Academy), coming off an outstanding fall, picked up where he left off with an even-par 72, good for a tie for third place. John Thatch (Mount Olive) and Brian Nowitz (McDaniel) top the leaderboard, both with a two-under 70.

Bentley's next two highest finishers, freshmen Chris Simione (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire HS) and 

Doug Kulikowski (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland HS), were competing as individuals and didn't help the Falcons in the team standings. Simione turned in a 73 and is tied for sixth while Kukilowski's 74 has him tied for 12th.

Sophomore Cal Meyers (Richfield, Wisc./Slinger HS) also had a solid round with his 76 placing him in a tie for 25th.

Tied for the team lead at the midpoint are Southern New Hampshire, Mount Olive and McDaniel, all at 293.

Tuesday's round will have a 9 am shotgun start.