Tombs, Bulldogs in lead after day one of NEC Golf Championships

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Led by a marvelous five under par performance from freshman Ryan Tombs (Bedford, N.H.), the Bryant University men's golf team shot a combined score of 287 (-1) and is leading the Northeast Conference Championships after day one of competition at the LPGA International "Hills" Course.

Tombs finished day one with a 67 (-5), leading the field of 45 after the first day. With three more Bulldogs in the top five, Bryant has a considerable lead heading into the final round of play. Fairleigh Dickinson is in second at +11, while LIU Brooklyn is in third at +17.

Competing in the NEC Championships for the first time in his career, Tombs opened his round with birdies on three of his first four holes. After a bogey on seven, Tombs came right back with an eagle on the par-5 eighth to move to four-under. He added a pair of birdies on the back nine to finish off his outstanding performance.

Joe Walp (Portland, Maine) and Kyle Buschmann (East Haddam, Conn.) also finished day one in the top five, as Walp carded a score of 72 (E) and Buschmann finished +1. Zach Garbacik (South Hadley, Mass.) finished +3 and Sam Russell (Southborough, Mass.) was +5 to round out Bryant's scorers. Walp birdied on the eighth and 13th, while Buschmann birdied the fifth and 14th. Garbacik and Russell each finished their rounds with three birdies.

The tournament wraps up on Sunday with the first Bryant golfer scheduled to tee off at 9:10 a.m. Tombs is slated to begin his final round at 9:46 a.m.