CLARKESVILLE, Ga. -- Four different Scots scored in the 70s in the opening round of the GSAC Golf Championship, but the team came to rest in last place among the five competing teams at the midway point of the tourney Monday afternoon.  It's the first ever GSAC Golf Championship in the history of the conference but not the first time the Scots have played The Orchard Golf & Country Club, the tournament site and home of the Piedmont College Lions.  For several years now, Covenant has enjoyed low scores and low finishes at the twice-annual Piedmont College Invitational.

So far this week, the Scots have posted low scores but will have to wait for the low finish to manifest in Tuesday's round.

Covenant's team total of 311 is only 14 strokes off of Maryville College (297), who leads the tournament.  Between the two are Huntingdon College (302), LaGrange College (305), and Piedmont College (308).

Leading the way for Covenant is David Spencer, who carded a 76 (39-37).  Dave Wilkinson and Cameron Lewis matched each other nearly stroke for stroke, recording 37s on the front and 41s on the back for a 78 total.  Jon Spencer is just a stroke behind them at 79 (36-43), while Alex Mosteller scored an 82 (44-38), one of his worst rounds of this year.

Covenant, who is competing in the event with a provisional status, fared well on the front nine but struggled on the back, thanks in large part to the 545 yard par 5, The Orchard's finishing hole.  That hole alone claimed 6 additional stokes for the Scots first round totals.