Valparaiso’s men’s golf team shot a first round 331 on Monday as the Crusaders began play at the Dayton Fall Invitational held at the NEC South Course in Kettering, Ohio to sit in 15th place at the midway point of the tournament.

Toledo leads the event at 298 while Robert Morris (Pa.) sits just three strokes ahead of the Crusaders in 14th place shooting 328.

“This is a tough course,” head coach Mike Higdon said.  “The guys were able to find out what it is like to play a U.S. Open course.”

Austin Gaugert (Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger H.S.) led the Crusaders shooting a nine-over par 80 over the par-71 layout.

“Austin was pretty solid with his 80 today,” Higdon added.

Michael Hesselman (Janesville, Wis./Edgerton H.S.) cared an 81 while Josh Kalita (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) added an 83 for the Crusaders.  Andrew Beischl (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay H.S.), playing as an individual, shot 85 in the first round.

Valparaiso will close out the 2009 fall season on Tuesday with the second and final round at the tournament.  The shotgun start begins at 9 a.m. CDT.