Curtis Phelps

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Northern Kentucky University men’s golf team is in first place at the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional after Monday’s first round with a score of 293.

NKU senior Curtis Phelps shot a 3-under-par 68 Monday to help the Norse take an eight-stroke lead in the team standings at the St. Joseph Country Club. Phelps, a native of Owensboro, Ky., notched four birdies on Monday and added an eagle on the par-5 eighth hole. He enters the second round in first place in the individual competition.

NKU’s Andrew Jewell finished the first day with a 74 and is in a tie for seventh place. The Norse’s David Shearer added a 75, and teammate Mark Krahe hit for 76.

All top four scores for NKU checked in the tournament’s top 20 for the first day of competition in the 54-hole event that runs through Wednesday. The opening round was played in cold, windy conditions, and the start was delayed for an hour due to frost.

Wayne (Mich.) State is second place in the team standings with a score of 301, followed by third-place Wisconsin-Parkside at 304. Grand Valley State is in fourth place with a score of 305.

NKU is seeking its third regional title in the past five years. The Norse captured the regional crown last year at Union, Ky., and also in 2001 at Bellingham, Mass.

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