NEED TO KNOW:
Piedmont Leader: T-1 - MARIO PEREZCASSAR III (70) -2
As a Team: B Team (1st of 8); C Team (8th of 8)
Event Information: 8 teams; 40 golfers
The Course: The Orchard Golf & Country Club (Par 72 - 6,819 yards)

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. - The Piedmont men's golf B and C teams took on The Orchard Golf and Country Club for the first round of the Piedmont Fall Invitational on a rainy Monday afternoon in Clarkesville, Georgia.

Leading the B team, junior MARIO PEREZCASSAR III used a first nine 5-under 31 and held on to post a 2-under 70, finding himself tied for the top of the individual leaderboard midway through the event. Perezcassar III's stellar performance was thanks to a hot putter on the front nine and helped the Piedmont B team soar to the top of the team leaderboard with an 11-over 299.
 

Helping Perezcassar III on the B squad was newcomer AARON JACKSON, who fired a 1-over 73 in his Piedmont debut with a pair of birdies on his round.

With four players competing for each of Piedmont's two teams, the pressure was on as all four scores were counted. CONNOR HIXSON played solid golf all day, leading to a 3-over 75 while freshman CONNOR LANE rounded things out with a 9-over 81.

Leading the C team, fellow freshman WYATT JONES delivered a rock solid even par 72 in his Lions debut. Jones finds himself tied for third on the the individual leaderboard with 18 holes to play. After starting with a first nine 37, the freshman from Eastman caught fire on the back nine, making four birdies to deliver a 1-under 35 on the side and make it back to even on his round.
 

Three other Lions made their career debuts on the C team, as RYAN COLWELL carded a 6-over 78 while CAMERON LUCAS (85) and BILLY GUILD (95) battled the rain as well.

Going into tomorrow's final round, Perezcassar III shares the top of the leaderboard with Dylan Humphries of Georgia Military College.

On the team side, the Lions' B team holds a nine-stroke edge over second-place Bob Jones.

The tournament is scheduled to conclude Tuesday, weather permitting.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Making his fall 2021 debut, Perezcassar III delivered a strong performance, making birdies in bunches on the first nine and delivering a 2-under 70 to lead all Piedmont golfers.
- Jones produced an outstanding first competitve round as a Lion, with an even par 72, making five birdies on his round.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- Piedmont is looking to defend its title as it took home the team trophy in the last iteration of this event, winning the 2019 Piedmont Fall Invitational while MATTHEW LEEMANN was the individual medalist.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
- To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont University Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.