KENNESAW, Ga. – The FGCU men's golf team sits in 10th place following first-round action on Monday at Kennesaw State's Pinetree Intercollegiate at Pinetree Country Club.
 
The Eagles were led by a pair of 75s (+3) from both Robert Renner Jr. and Andrew Potter, who are tied for 26th overall. FGCU carded a 306 total – an uncharacteristic number as it marked the first time this year that the Green and Blue shot in the 300s in any round. Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky lead the 11-team field after opening rounds of 287 (-1).
 
Due to heavy rains in the area on Monday morning, tournament officials elected to switch to a 36-hole event as opposed to 54 holes. Final-round action is expected to begin for FGCU on Tuesday at 8:10 a.m. with 10-minute tee time increments beginning off the 10th. Live scoring will be available on Golfstat.com by clicking here.
 
"We had a difficult day scoring, but we had less big numbers overall which has been a long-term problem," stated FGCU head coach Eric Booker, whose team collectively made just two double bogeys or worse on Monday. "I'm encouraged by that, and I'm looking forward to our guys hopefully going low tomorrow."
 
Renner Jr. (Arlington Heights, Ill./Saint Viator HS) was the most consistent Eagle in the first round, making 15 pars and just three bogeys, but was unable to get any birdies to fall. Potter (Naples, Fla./Community School of Naples) was more up-and-down, making a trio of birdies but giving them back plus some with six bogeys.
 
Grant Renegar (McComb, Miss./Meridian CC/Parklane Academy) rolled in a team-high four birdies in the opening round, but had a roller-coaster day on the par-72, 7,108-yard layout en route to finishing with a 76 to sit in a tie for 35th overall.
 
James Leadbetter (Bradenton, Fla./Arkansas/IMG Academy) didn't make anything worse than a bogey, but couldn't get any birdie putts to fall on his way to an 80. Doug Smith (Windermere, Fla./Olympia HS) suffered from a pair of big numbers, but otherwise had a relatively consistent round. The sophomore's 18 was a tale of two 9s as he played in the front in 39 but the back in 44 for his 83.
 
That was the story of the day for the Eagles as each of the five members shot in the 30s on the front 9, but only two – Renner Jr. and Potter – were able to duplicate that performance on the back 9.
 
FGCU LINEUP
T-26) Robert Renner Jr.: 75 (+3)
T-26) Andrew Potter: 75 (+3)
T-35) Grant Renegar: 76 (+4)
T-55) James Leadbetter: 80 (+8)
60) Doug Smith: 83 (+11)
 
COMPETING TEAMS (Golfstat Ranking)
T-1) #121 Southern Illinois: 287 (-1)
T-1) #143 Western Kentucky: 287 (-1)
3) #179 Mercer: 288 (E)
4) #93 Wisconsin: 289 (+1)
5) #48 Kennesaw State: 292 (+4)
6) #125 Northern Illinois: 295 (+7)
T-7) #169 Jacksonville State: 297 (+9)
T-7) #153 Gonzaga: 297 (+9)
9) #237 Belmont: 301 (+13)
10) #187 FGCU: 306 (+18)
11) #269 Nicholls State: 307 (+19)
 
IRMA RELIEF DONATIONS
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, many individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida are still in desperate need of assistance. To aid in those relief efforts, FGCU Athletics will be collecting donations at all Eagle home games for the immediate future. Donation items most needed include: non-perishable food, clothing, household items and first-aid supplies. Additionally, those unable to attend upcoming home games can drop off donations in canisters located in the Alico Arena lobby. All donations will be given to those hardest hit in Lee and Collier counties.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For schedule updates, news and information, visit FGCUAthletics.com. For the latest news and behind-the-scenes access to information, photos and videos, follow @FGCU_MGolf on Twitter and @FGCU_MGolf on Instagram.
 
COACH BOOKER
FGCU is led by 4th-year coach Eric Booker, a member of the PGA Tour and Web.com Tour (formerly the Nationwide Series) for portions of 17 years from 1990-2007. Booker finished in the top 5 three times in tournaments on the PGA Tour, and also played in the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. He played in 62 career events on the PGA Tour, with his best finish being a tie for 3rd at the 1999 Honda Classic.
 
HELP THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.