WELLAND, Ont. - The Durham College golf team fought through wet conditions during the first round of the OCAA golf championship on Monday and found themselves in medal contention.

Craig Conroy (Bowmanville, Ont.) and Colin Jex (Port Hope, Ont.) shot matching scores of 3-over 73 at Hunters Pointe Golf Course to sit in a tie for eighth place in the individual standings.

Conroy had two birdies on the front nine but they unfortunately went along with two double bogeys as he sat at 2-over after nine holes. On the back nine, the Lords veteran was more consistent posting eight pars and a single bogey.

Jex finished his day with a birdie on the par-5 hole 18 to end up in the hunt.

Overall, the Lords sit in sixth place in the team competition. In comparison, last year's bronze medal winning team was in seventh place after one round of play.

The Lords are eyeing up a podium finish and will have to make up nine strokes on the third place Seneca Sting (296) over the next two rounds.

Rounding out the Lords scores, Stewart Muirhead (Lindsay, Ont.) finished the day with an 8-over 78 while Brady Seguin (Stouffville, Ont.) and Lewis Kertsos (Pickering, Ont.) posted matching scores of 11-over 81.

The host Niagara Knights took advantage of their familiarity with their home course posting an impressive team score of 280. Three Knights - Logan Lammerant (Seaforth, Ont.), Josiah Dixon (Bognor, Ont.) and Zach Bankuti (Brampton Ont.) - opened with 69 to lead the field.

OCAA LEADERBOARD

gao.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/gao15/event/gao15299/contest/8/leaderboard.htm

Source: Durham College