DOURO-DUMMER, Ont. - Although the Durham College men's golf team did not have their most impressive round of the season, the Lords are well within striking distance of a podium finish after the opening day of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) golf championship.

The Lords shot a team total of 319 to sit in seventh place overall, but are only eight strokes out of third place which is currently occupied by the St. Lawrence Vikings. The eight-time OCAA defending champion Humber Hawks lead the way at 303 followed by Fanshawe at 308.

Craig Conroy (Bowmanville, Ont.) had the low-round for the Lords as he shot a four-over 76, as he is in a tie for 11th place overall in the individual competition. Conroy ran into a little trouble on the par-3 third hole, putting a seven on the board. Besides that hole, Conroy was even-par which included shooting three birdies.

Matthew Perras (Omemee, Ont.) had an up and down round for Durham as he put up seven bogeys and two doubles. Fortunately for Perras, he also posted three birdies and an eagle to finish the day in 18th place with a six-over 78.

The Lords most consistent golfer of the season, Brent Clements (Pickering, Ont.), had 13 pars on the day but could not find a way to sink a putt. The sport management major finished with an eight-over 80. Ben Reid (Ajax, Ont.) and Bill Irvine (Lindsay, Ont.) were 13-over to round out the Lords scoring on day one.

Michael Rizzetto (Brantford, Ont.) of the Mohawk Mountaineers leads the men's leaderboard by one stroke over Humber's Barrett McCarthy (Burlington, Ont.), the only other golfer to be at par or better through 18 holes.

The scheduled 54-hole tournament continues Tuesday at Wildfire Golf Club in Lakefield, Ont., and is hosted by Fleming College.

Golfers represent 17 Ontario college campuses, including Centennial, Confederation, Durham, Fanshawe, Fleming, Georgian, Humber, Lakehead (Orillia), Lambton, Mohawk, Niagara, St. Clair, St. Lawrence (Brockville, Cornwall and Kingston), Sault and Seneca. It marks the first time Lakehead will participate in an OCAA varsity event since joining the association in 2013.

The tournament consists of three 18-hole rounds, weather permitting. The male and female player posting the lowest gross score through 54 holes will earn their respective individual championship.

Men's teams consist of four or five golfers, with the top four individual scores of each round contributing to the total team score. Women's teams consist of two or three golfers, with the top two individual scores of each round contributing to their total score. Schools with the lowest aggregate of gross scores after 54 holes win the respective team titles.

Wildfire Golf Club is located in the heart of Ontario's picturesque Kawartha cottage country. Opening in August, 2003 on the shores of scenic Stoney Lake, the spectacular 18-hole, 6,745-yard layout designed by noted Canadian architect Tom McBroom.

A tournament banquet on Tuesday will feature Olympic rower Jeremiah Brown as a guest speaker. Brown won an Olympic silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics as part of the men's eights for Canada.

Daily results at the championships will be available online via the championship website and OCAA.com.

Championship Website: gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao14/event/gao14310/index.htm

Wildfire Golf Club Website: www.matchplaygolfmarketing.com/WILDFIRE/index.html

Jeremiah Brown's Website: www.jeremiahspeaks.com

DURHAM LORDS ROSTER
Adam Hobb (Marketing)
Ben Reid (Business)
Bill Irvine (Project Management)
Brent Clements (Sport Management)
Craig Conroy (Marketing)
Matthew Perras (Golf & Facility Management)

Source: Durham College with files from OCAA Communications

Photo Credit: Al Fournier