The 11^th-ranked Emory golf team turned in a solid effort during the opening round of the Emory Spring Invitational on Monday and stands in second place out of 17 teams.  The 36-hole tourney is being played at the 6,863-yard, par-70 Stonemont Golf Course at Stone Mountain, Ga.

The Eagles churned out a team score of 298 and trail No. 4-ranked and defending Greensboro by just three strokes.  Guilford College and Oglethorpe University are tied for third at 299 while Centre College rounds out the top five with a 300.

Junior Ryan Dagerman and freshman Johnathan Chen paced the Emory Gold contingent, with each player carding a three-over par 73, good for a seventh-place tie in the 89-player field.  Dagerman recorded all three of his birdies on the front nine, going out at even-par 35 before shooting 38 over the final nine holes.  Chen rebounded from a front-nine score of 39 and fired a 34 on the back that included a pair of birdies.  Sophomore David Collura was next up for the squad with his 74 placing him 14^th.  Senior Charles Raindre and Nick Szem each posted rounds of 78. 

Patrick Davidson of Centre College was the lone player to shoot par on Monday with his 70 topping the field heading into the final round.  Michael Elder of Greensboro is in hot pursuit and is just one shot back.

Emory has two entries in the Invitational with the Blue Team in 12^th place.  Leading that group is freshman Alec Berens who totaled a 77.