KANSAS CITY, MO. – Led by senior JJ Cooney, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team is 15^th after day one of the NCAA DII Central Regional Tournament which opened today at Shoal Creek GC.

The Cougars finished at 29-over par 313 in the opening round as they had 46 pars and six birdies on the day. The team leader after day one is Central Missouri, which opened with a five-under par round of 279. In second place is Indianapolis at one-under par 283 while Henderson State is third at two-over par 286 and Arkansas State and Southwestern Oklahoma State sit 10 over par 294 and in a tie for fourth place. The top four teams plus the top individual not with a team will advance to the NCAA DII National Tournament at the PGA National Resort: The National Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Cooney, a senior from Pickstown, S.D., who was named All-NSIC for a fourth straight year earlier this week, opened with a four-over par round of 75 (37-38) and is tied for 36^th after day one. He had birdies on the 579-yard par five seventh hole and the 536-yard par five ninth hole. Cooney carded 12 pars during his round.

Sioux Falls senior Brenden Bassing, who was also named All-NSIC this week, finished in a tie for 62^nd with an eight-over par total of 79 (39-40). He had a birdie on hole seven and another on the 527-yard par five 13^th hole. He carded nine pars on the day.

Also tied for 62^nd was Gavin Metz, who this week was named the NSIC Newcomer of the Year. A sophomore from Brainerd, Minn., Metz had a 79 (39-40) as he totaled nine pars and a birdie on hole seven.

Senior Jacob Zosel and junior Jack Evans both are tied at 72^nd with first round totals of 80. Zosel of Morris, Minn., had a birdie on hole nine and eight pars in shooting an 80 (38-42). As for Evans, also of Brainerd, Minn., he had 12 pars during his round of 80 (41-39).