Johnstown, PA-It was a strong start for the Cleveland State men's golf team as the Vikings hold the lead after the opening round of the Red Flash Invitational hosted by Saint Francis at Sunnehanna Country Club.
Dillon Pendergast and
Brody Simms are each in the top three in the individual standings with Pendergast holding the lead in the individual race through 18 holes.
Cleveland State posted a 5-over par 285 team total in the first round, good for a two-shot lead over Youngstown State who finished at 7-over 287. Mercyhurst is third at 11-over 291. All four of Cleveland State's counting scores finished in the top-20 of the individual standings.
Pendergast is one of two players in the field to finish in red numbers in the opening round on the challenging Sunnehanna layout. Pendergast posted a 2-under 68 and holds a one-shot lead over Evan Rowayne of Mercyhurst. Starting on the back nine, Pendergast started fast with birdies on his first two holes. He made double bogey on the 12
th hole but followed with two more birdies on 13 and 16. A bogey on the 18
th hole capped a 1-under 34 on the opening nine. Pendergast made the turn with a birdie at the opening hole and closed his round with eight consecutive pars to finish at 2-under.
Brody Simms is tied for third after an even par 70 in the opening round. Simms rebounded from a double bogey on the 15
th hole with two birdies on the front nine to close the day at even par and two shots off the pace.
Mason Frazier is tied for 16
th after a 3-over par round of 73. He carded nine-hole scores of 35-38 to finish at 3-over. Frazier carded three birdies on the day.
Andrew Kaye is close behind after a 4-over round of 74 put him in a tie for 20
th. Kaye posted two birdies in his first 18 holes.
Ryan Dinan is tied for 46
th after an 11-over 81.
Cleveland State led the field in par-3 scoring average finishing at 2-over par for the day as well as leading the way in birdies with 14. Pendergast led the field with five birdies on day one and tied with Frazier for the lead in par-3 scoring with each finishing 2-under on the par-3's. Simms tied for the lead in pars with 15 total and was second in par-4 scoring finishing at 1-under.
Round two is set for a 9:00 a.m. start on Tuesday. Live scoring will be available on Scoreboard Live throughout the day.
