SILVIS, Ill. -- On Tuesday morning, the Reinhardt College men's golf team -- the 2010 Appalachian Athletic Conference champion -- opened play at the 59th Annual NAIA National Championship, and finished the first day with a 308 (+24) total for 23rd place among 29 squads. The 72-hole tournament is being played at the par-71, 6983-yard TPC Deere Run course.  

Under the direction of head coach Ken Dixon, the 2010 AAC Coach of the Year, Reinhardt was led by all-conference performers Chris Cartwright and freshman Zach Lindsey, who each shot 4-over-par 75 to tie for 47th place in the 156-player field. Freshman Dan Merriman, another All-AAC selection, fired a 77, tying for 74th place, while Rudi Lee ended at 81 (tied for 128th) and Jason Mobley at 83 (tied for 138th).

In the team standings, the Eagles are 17 strokes behind the leader, No. 2-ranked Oklahoma Christian University, which fired a 7-over-par 291 on the first day of competition. Rounding out the top five are No. 1-rated Oklahoma City University (293), 10th-ranked University of South Carolina Beaufort (295), and No. 11-rated California Baptist University and fifth-ranked Holy Names University (both at 296).

Reinhardt resumes play at the national event with afternoon tee times on Wednesday. After Thursday's round, the tournament field is cut to the top 17 teams and the top 40 individuals (including ties) for Friday.