CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Redbirds stand in the middle of the field after the first day and within reach of the lead at the 2019 Golfweek Conference Championships, as senior David Perkins lead the Redbirds with a four-under 68, good for a tie of second in the individual standings.
Perkins came out strong carding six birdies and only one bogey through the first 18 holes and finished strong with three birdies over the final four holes of the day. He is tied for second individually, just two strokes behind Zan Luka Stirn from Arkansas State.
Illinois State is in ninth place after the first round of the tournament at four strokes over par (292). Ball State leads the field through the first day with a 279 while Iowa (283) and Campbell (284) round out the top three.
Dan Anfield and Felix van Dijk both finished the day two strokes over par. van Dijk shot even over the front nine holes while Anfield finished one under on the back half of the course. Joseph Hodgson ended the first round four strokes over par.
Senior Joel Durnford closed his opening five strokes over par, as did junior Andrew O'Brien in his 2019-20 season debut as an individual.
"Dave played brilliantly and saved us today," coach Ray Kralis said. "This is a golf course that requires familiarity and some precision, and another round under our belt will help us going in to tomorrow. We need to take what it gives us and minimize the unforced errors."
The team returns to the course tomorrow, playing the second of three days of the tournament. The Redbirds will start out on the first hole at 9:30 am tomorrow and will play alongside golfers from Oakland and Dayton. Durnford (9:30), Hodgson (9:39), van Dijk (9:48), Anfield (9:57), and Perkins (10:06) represent the scoring five golfers for ISU, as O'Brien tees off at 10:46 on the 10th hole as an individual.
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