OWASSO, OKLA. – With three players in the top 11, including a career-best performance by sophomore and first-round leader Gavin Metz, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team is first in the team standings after one round with a season-best round of 301 at the Hillcat Classic which opened Monday (March 15) at the Bailey Ranch Golf Club.

 
As a group, the Cougars  shot a 13-over par round of 301 and lead Missouri Southern State at 14 over par 302 by a shot. Host Rogers State is third at 17-over par 305. USF carded 14 birdies, an eagle, and 51 pars during their stellar opening day performance. For results, click here.

Lead the way for USF was Metz, who shot a 69 (31-38) on the opening day of the classic. Metz had a team-season-high six birdies in the 18 holes with nine pars as he leads a tournament for the first time at USF. He had a birdies on the 527-yard par 5 hole 7 and also at the 372-yard par 4 hole 10, 565-yard par 5 hole 11, 405 par 4 hole 12, 501-yard par 5 hole 14 and the 185-yard par 3 hole 17. He opened with a five-under par on the front nine and finished with a two-over par back nine. The 69 by Metz is the best 18-hole round since JJ Cooney had a 69 in the second round of the Watkins Invitational on September 7, 2019.

Senior Jacob Zosel is tied for seventh overall with a round of three over par 75 (37-38). In a consistent performance all day, Zosel had three birdies to go with 10 pars. He put up birdies on the 500-yard par 5 hole one, 159-yard par 3 hole 8 and the 366-yard par 4 hole 16.

Senior JJ Cooney, who carded an eagle on the 430-yard par 4 hole 9, was four-over with a 76 (36-40) and was tied for 11th after day one. Cooney also had three birdies and seven pars in his solid performance. He had birdies on the 565-yard, par 5 11^th hole, the 501-yard par 5 14^th hole, as well as the 379-yard par 4 18^th hole.

Junior Jack Evans was 23rd overall with a round of nine-over par 81 (40-41). He had nine pars during his opening round.

Junior Jake Oetzmann was tied for 29th with his 11-over par round of 83 (40-43). Oetzmann had nine pars and a birdie on the 501-yard par 5 hole 14.  Senior Brenden Bassing finished at 89 (37-52) as he carded seven pars and a birdie on hole 14.