DENVER, Colo. – In his first action of the spring season, Bentley University sophomore Doug Kulikowski (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sunderland HS) turned in a strong showing Saturday during the opening day of the Bob Writz Invitational at the Bear Creek Golf Club.

Kulikowski fired a two-over-par 74 and will begin Sunday's final round tied for third, two strokes off the pace.  At the top of the leaderboard are Ryan Schmitz (Colorado) and Jake Ice (Colorado State- Pueblo), both of whom turned in an even-par 72.

Kulikowski had two birdies on each side while going out with a 36 and closing with 38. His birdies came on the 454-yard fourth, the 118-yard seventh, the 412-yard 11th and the 549-yard 12th.

As a team, Bentley is tied for seventh among ten teams after posting a 326.  The Falcons' next two golfers, junior Cal Meyers (Richfield, Wisc./Slinger HS) and sophomore Chris Simione (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire HS), are tied for 34th with an 83.

At the top of the team standings, Colorado State-Pueblo owns a one-stroke lead over the host team, Colorado School of Mines, 311-312. Right on their heels are Colorado Christian and Colorado-Colorado Springs, who each registered a 313.

Sunday's play will get underway at 12:40 ET.