Barry senior Mike Anderson
(Barry Athletics Photo)

The NCAA Division II Finals commenced at the Tom Watson course at Reunion Resort. From West Florida to Central Missouri to Cal State Monterey Bay, 20 teams began with a dream of claiming the D-2 title over the course of the next three days.

The Watson Course is highlighted by fast, firm and wide rolling fairways, a variety of strategically placed bunkers and large greens. A Signature Design by Tom Watson, the 7,154 yard, par 72 course is as much about strategy as it is about length.

Lead by senior Mike Anderson, Barry had three players in the top 10 – as a matter of fact, all three Barry players shot -2 68 and tied for eighth after round one.

West Florida finished the round in second firing -4 276 and Florida Tech finished in third with -3 277.

“It's always good to get the first round over and done and not hurt yourself too much," Head coach Steve Fell said in an UWF Athletics press release. “We got off to a rough start but finished well.”

On the individual leaderboard, Junior John Coultas of Florida Southern led the way shooting -5 65 to open a one-stroke lead over senior John Clare from LeMoyne. A pair of Florida Tech players, freshman Max O'Hagan and freshman Han Xue, tied for third firing -3 67.

Hole No. 8, a 581-yard par-5, played very short with two eagles on different occasions. In addition, hole No. 17, another 554 par-5, played short as well with two eagles of its own.

The D-II finals will have a very intense final two rounds as there is little space between the top three teams and top 10 players. Round two commences Tuesday morning at 7 am Eastern time.