From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

Missouri Southern’s men’s golf team stands in third place after the first day of the Division-II Central Regional at Twin Hills Golf Course in Joplin.

The Lions shot an 11-over-par 299 in the first round, trailing top-seeded Washburn (294) and Winona State (297).

Southern coach Kevin Greim said he’s happy to end the first round within striking distance.

“That’s the main thing,” Greim said, “is to get through this first day with conditions the way they were.”

Rain forced the postponement of the tournament’s start until 3:15 p.m., but every golfer save two completed his first round before darkness set in.

“I was questioning whether we were going to play any of these days,” Greim said. “I thought there was no way we were going to get in 18 holes today.

“And I’m proud of our guys. They got ready to play today even though they had no idea what time we were going to start.”

Adam Nelson led the Lions with a 1-over 73, tying him for sixth place individually. Tommy Clifford and Tyler Goecker both shot 74s and Eric Byers had a 78.

Washburn’s Ryan Deutsch shot a 70 and has the individual lead.

After a strong front nine, Greim said the Lions “dumped some strokes” in the middle of the back nine before rebounding late in the round.

“Adam Nelson did a great job of coming back from a double-bogey (on No. 14) with two birdies (on Nos. 15 and 16),” Greim said. “And Tyler Goecker could easily have shot 3- or 4-under with the way he hit the ball. He just couldn’t get a putt to drop.”

The regional includes six MIAA teams. Missouri Western is fourth with a 305, No. 2 seed Central Missouri had a 309 and Southwest Baptist was also at 21-over with one golfer to finish. Truman State sits eighth at 23-over and one hole to play.

Play is scheduled to continue at 9:30 a.m. today. The last two golfers will finish their first round, and then second-round pairings will be announced. Greim estimated the Lions will tee off around 11 a.m.