Men's golf team tied for fifth at NJCAA National Tournament

Men's golf team tied for fifth at NJCAA National Tournament

The Eastern Florida State College men's golf team sits tied for fifth place after shooting a 3-under 285 Tuesday in the first round of the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament at Duran Golf Club.

The tournament was delayed by rain for over three hours and nine teams did not finish the first round and will complete the round beginning at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Sophomore Beck Fox had a stretch of five birdies in six holes between the fifth and 10th holes, finishing with a five-under 67 and is tied for the individual lead with Indian Hills Community College's Joe Hodgson and New Mexico Junior College's Liam Duncan.

"It was a good first round, the course was easy, there was little wind so it's just going out and making birdies," My front nine, my putter was going so good that I didn't even notice that I had made three in a row."

Teammate Ben Ramos had a birdie on No. 18 to finish the round 4-under and is tied for third. Thomas Matthews shot 2-under on the back nine to finish the round even par and is tied for 32nd overall.

"The good news is we counted a 78 today and we are eight shots behind the leader," Eastern Florida State College men's golf coach Jamie Howell said. "We have to go out and play well tomorrow, simple as that. It should be a good shootout all weekend and the course is set up to score, it is just a matter of whether the wind shows up."

New Mexico Junior College is leading the tournament after shooting 11-under 277 in the first round.

The Titans will tee off in the second round beginning at 1:10 p.m. at Duran Golf Club.