Valparaiso’s men’s golf team sits in a tie for third place, just one shot out of second and five shots off the lead after the opening round of the Horizon League Championships on Friday at Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Result in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.

The Crusaders posted a first round 313 and is tied with Wright State, just one stroke behind Green Bay.  Cleveland State leads at 308.  Detroit is fourth at 314 followed by Loyola (Chicago) and Youngstown State one shot behind the Titans.  Butler is eighth at 320 as just 12 shots separate the entire field.

Kyle Henning (Brookfield, Wis./East H.S.) led Valpo in round one,  shooting a four-over par 76.  He is tied for sixth overall on the 6,933-yard par 72 layout.  Andy Webb (Bedford, Ind./North Lawrence  H.S.) carded a 78 while Brad Winters (Elgin, Ill./Saint Xavier H.S.) posted a 79.  Josh Kalita (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) and Thomas Wettstein (Neenah, Wis./Xavier H.S.) each shot opening round 80s.

Cleveland State’s Andrew Bailey posted a one-under par 71 and has a three shot lead after the opening 18 holes.

Valparaiso will return to the links on Saturday morning for round two of the championships.  Action begins at 8:30 a.m. CDT.