HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Delta State's Chase Smith fired a 2-under-par-70 on the first day of the Gulf South Conference men's golf tournament Monday at the Hot Springs Country Club.

 

Smith, a junior from Vicksburg, Miss., was tied for third place in the individual standings after his Monday performance. He shot a 34 on the back nine to lead the Statesmen, which were in eighth place after the first day of competition.

 

The 70 carded by Smith was matched by North Alabama's Jake Greer. The Lions led with a team score of 289 thanks to Greer and Brett Munson, who turned in the day's second best score of 69.

 

Casey Patterson and Austin Smithers carded scores of 78 and 79, respectively. Collin McCrary fired an 80 to round out Delta State's team score of 307.

 

Seth McBrayer shot an 81 for the Statesmen.

 

The Statesmen finished Monday only one stroke behind Harding University's score of 306 and three strokes behind sixth-place West Georgia.

 

First place North Alabama had a six stroke lead over second place West Florida after the first day of competition.

 

West Georgia's Zach Lassetter was the individual leader after shooting a 4-under-par-68. His score included a hole-in-one on the par-3, 175-yard eighth hole.

 

The teams will conclude the tournament Tuesday.