NEED TO KNOW:
Piedmont Leader: T-4th – MARIO PEREZCASSAR III (70) E
As a Team: T-4th of 37
Event Information: 37 teams; 191 golfers
The Course: Palmer Course at Oglebay Resort; Wheeling, West Virginia (Par 70 – 6,525 yards)

WHEELING, W. Va. - Competing in its first ever NCAA Championship, the No. 4 Piedmont men's golf team finds itself in the hunt after a solid round one showing.

With 37 teams and 191 golfers competing, the event is taking place on two different courses with the Lions playing the Palmer Course at Oglebay Resort on Tuesday, which is a par 70. The other half of the field took on the Speidel Jones Course, which plays to a par 71.

Overall, Piedmont battled the first round nerves and delivered a consistent showing across the board as four of its five shot either 75 or 76, leading to a tem score of 16-over 296.

Sophomore MARIO PEREZCASSAR III stepped up in a big way on Tuesday, firing an even par 70 that included a team-best six birdies. Perezcassar III caught fire in the middle of his round, making birdie on four consecutive holes from No. 8 through No. 11. Going into round two he finds himself in a tie for fourth on the individual leaderboard and just one stroke off the lead.

Freshman JOSH HEBRINK made four birdies iwhich included both of the par 3's on the back nine on his way to a solid 5-over 75.

Following his outstanding showing at the USA South Conference Tournament in North Carolina, junior MICHAEL CLARDY joined Hebrink in the 75 club as he played his final nine in just 1-over par.

Playing at the top of the lineup, BEN BALEN and FRED ROBERTS IV each battled to card opening rounds of 6-over 76.

Balen battled back after a tough start, playing the back nine in 1-over after beginning his day with a double bogey a the first and making the turn at 5-over.

Roberts IV made a pair of birdies with both coming on the opening nine.

Playing the Speidel Jones Course, Illinois Wesleyan leads at 6-over as a team after opening with 290. USA South foe Huntingdon (+9) was the only team to shoot a better score than the Lions on the Palmer Course Tuesday.

Up next, the Lions will take on the Speidel Jones Course tomorrow with Clardy scheduled to begin the show at 11:55 a.m. on hole No. 1.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Perezcassar III's opening round of 70 marks his best first round since firing a 68 at the Wynlakes Intercollegiate last month in the first of two Piedmont team titles this spring.

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