By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Scottsboro, Ala.---The Owens Community College men's golf team shot a two-over 290 to open National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II national tournament play at Goose Pond Colony Golf Course today.

Through one round, Owens sits in a tie for sixth place overall - 13 shots back of first place, which currently belongs to South Mountain (AZ) Community College.

Dominic DiGiacomo (Ocean City/Ocean City, N.J.) led Owens with a two-under 70 in the first round, which puts him in a tie for 15th place individually. Harrison Long (Wilnecote/Tamworth, U.K.) and Philippe Weppernig (Luzern, Switzerland) were just behind him with an even par 72 and a one-over par 73, respectively.

Also assisting the Owens effort were Wyatt Spalding (Summerfield/Petersburg, Mich.), who shot a three over 75, and Christian Bienaime (Lake Brantley/Altamonte Springs, Fla.), who shot a six over 78.

Five players shot a six-under 66 in today's first round and are all tied for first place.

The top three teams through today's round are South Mountain, Darton (GA) State College and Tyler (TX) Junior College.

Notes

DiGiacomo birdied the eighth, ninth, 15th and 18th holes to aid his effort today, while Long birdied five, 11 and 18 and eagled a par five seventh hole.

Weppernig also had an eagle on the par five 15th hole, while picking up birdies on seven and 17. Spalding picked up four birdies - six, seven, 10 and 15.

Bienaime, who shot a five over 41 through the front nine holes, picked up his game and shot a one over 37 on the back nine. He birdied the seventh and 15th holes.

This is the third straight year Owens has earned its way into the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. They finished 10th two years ago and fifth last year.

Tomorrow's Tee Times

In order, tomorrow's second round tee times are Spalding (9:15 a.m.), Bienaime (9:24 a.m.), Weppernig (9:33 a.m.), DiGiacomo (9:42 a.m.) and Long (9:51 a.m.)

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