Freshman Peter Webb (Madison, Wis./James Madison Memorial) shot the best round in relation to par in Valparaiso men's golf history on Sunday, as the Crusaders played the first of three rounds of the Golfweek Program Challenge at True Blue G.C. in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Valpo posted a team score of seven-over-par 295, good for ninth place in the 12-team field and just 10 shots out of third position. James Madison tops the team leaderboard after an opening-round 280.

"Our ball striking was excellent today, with the guys hitting a lot of greens in regulation and driving the ball well off the tee," said Crusader head coach David Gring. "We struggled with some big numbers on a handful of holes, and that affected our first round score. This is the youngest team that we have fielded for a tournament in over two years, and I was pleased with how well the team played on a terrific golf course."

Webb's round got off to an innocuous start, as teeing off on the tenth hole, the freshman carded just one birdie and one bogey on his first nine to hit the turn at even par. But coming in, Webb stood out, posting three straight birdies on his 13th, 14th and 15th holes of the round. Then, he capped the day with the tournament's lone eagle on the par-5 9th on Sunday, posting a second-nine score of five-under 32 to finish off a round of 67 (-5). Webb's round is the best in relation to par in program history, while his 67 matches an Austin Gaugert round from 2010 as the best single-round stroke total all-time.

"Peter's round was exceptional today, hitting 18 greens in regulation, which is a tremendous demonstration of poise and consistency," said Gring. "There are a number of fine players in this tournament, and Peter is leading our team very well and off to a strong individual start, too."

Fellow freshman Nick Seitz (Xenia, Ohio/Carroll) registered Valpo's second-best round of the day, opening the tournament with a 75 to finish the day tied for 36th place. Junior Joe Harris (Washington, Iowa/Washington) was one shot off of Seitz's pace and enters Monday in a tie for 43rd after an opening 76. Senior Kyle Henning (Brookfield, Wis./East) and sophomore Matt Ward (Plainfield, Ill./South) shot matching 77s on Sunday to round out the Crusader team.

Valparaiso will hit the links again on Monday for the second of three tournament rounds.