BOULDER CITY, NV (May 14, 2024) -- The Tufts University men's golf squad tee'd off on the national stage for the first time in program Tuesday morning, as the Jumbos competed Round 1 at the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships, hosted at Boulder Creek Golf Club. The course was playing at a long par 72 over a whopping 7377 yards.
The Jumbos finished the opening day in 32nd place out of the 43 schools in attendance, shooting a 14-over 302 for the afternoon.
Tufts is only 10 shots back off the projected cut spot of 16th place, as the field will be trimmed to 16 after Wednesday's action. The Jumbos will be chasing playing partner Claremont-Mudd-Scripps as well as Farmingdale State and Schreiner University, which are all tied for 15th place at four-over.
Tufts took some time to adjust to the length of the Boulder Creek Golf Club, as the course was the longest of the season played by the Jumbos. Sophomore
Holden Kittelberger proved to deal with the later holes well, as he went out in 41 before shooting a four-under 32 on the back nine to card a one-over 73. He was tied for 62nd after the first day.
Senior
Jack Meehan was even after the first nine holes, eagling the par-5 fifth, but his four-over back nine had him finish four-over with a 76 to tie for 121nd place.
First-year
Nick McCabe also posted a 76 for the day, as he had five birdies on the day including starting one-under through the opening nine holes. Three second-nine doubles saw McCabe come in at 41 for a total round score of 76. His five birdies was 10th-most by any player in the field.
JP helped round out the team score for the Jumbos, as he was just one-over on the back nine to finish 146th with a five-over 77.
Reed Bodley birdied two holes on the day, but finished nine-over with an 81.
Tufts is between Allegheny College and Rose-Husman in 30th place while Wittenberg University is 33rd after its 304. Methodist University is in the lead after carding a 17-under 271, while Emory University was a shot behind them after its first round 272. Redlands University is also just four shot off the lead after a 275.
Individually, Emory University's Jackson Klutznick posted an 8-under 64, while Jonathan McEwan was right behind him after his 64. The tournament is being played on two courses, and Boulder Creek G.C. finished slightly easier Tuesday at less than half a shot difference.
The Jumbos will have to take on that other course on Wednesday at 12:50 p.m., as Tufts will play at the par 72 Legacy Golf Club over 7,077 in round two.
--JUMBOS--
