JOPLIN, Mo. – The Parkland College golf team sits in fifth place in the NJCAA Division II National Championship after day one of the four-day tournament at the par-72 Twin Hill Country Club in Joplin, Missouri. The reigning-champion Cobras shot a combined score of 302 (+14) on Tuesday in the opening round, seven shots back of the leader, Meridian Community College (295), and three strokes behind fourth-place Kirkwood Community College (299). This is Parkland College's fifth consecutive trip to the National Championship tournament.
 
"Today was all about getting in position," Parkland head coach Corbin Sebens said after the round. "The course was playing difficult in the afternoon, and we let a couple of holes get away from us, but we are in a good position. We need to improve tomorrow and move up the leaderboard."
 
The Cobras came into the day with a target on their backs as the reigning champions, but also something to prove after finishing in second place at the Central District Championship two weeks ago. Freshman Dain Richie got off to a hot start, birdieing his first hole of the day and firing a 2-under, 34 on the front nine. Richie finished the day at even par, placing himself in a tie for 5th as Parkland's lowest-scoring golfer. Sophomore Corey Neville and freshman Roo Fenwick both recorded an opening round of 76 (+4) as the two teammates are tied for 28th. Joel Petersson struggled on the front nine, but the Swedish sophomore shot an even par 36 on the back nine to finish with a 78 (+6) and tied for 42nd. Freshman Kegan Niles finished tied for 79th after an opening round of 81 (+9) to round out the scoring for the Cobras.
 
Team Leaderboard
Individual Leaderboard
 
Team Scores (Top 10):
1          Meridian CC                           +7        295
2          South Mountain CC                +9        297
3          Glendale CC                           +10      298
4          Kirkwood CC                          +11      299
5          Parkland College                    +14      302
6          Black Hawk College               +18      306
7          Northeast CC                          +20      308
T8        Tyler Junior College               +21      309
T8        Cleveland State CC                +21      309
10        Hawkeye CC                           +23      311
 
Parkland Individual Scores:
T5        Dain Richie                 E         72
T28      Corey Neville             +4        76
T28      Roo Fenwick               +4        76
T42      Joel Petersson            +6        78
T79      Kegan Niles                +9        81