The Iowa Lakes men's golf team began their 2017 spring season in Maryville, Missouri at the Graceland University Invitational at Mozingo Lake Golf Course. Round 1 of 2 got off to a wet start with rain continuing on and off throughout the morning and into the round. The Lakers were led by sophomore 2nd-Team All-American Matt Bennett with a -1 par 71 which included 6 birdies and an eagle which was good enough to put him in a tie for 2nd overall. Jacob Baker also helped pace the team with a +4 76, putting him in a tie for 16th. The other two counting scores today were an 85 and 86 by Collin Kemper and Connor Anderson, respectively. Jordan Henry rounded out the individual scores with an 87. The Lakers are in 7th place overall with a team score of 318. Kansas City Kansas Community College leads the tournament with a day one team score of 296. Coach Weber had this to say for his first tournament of his Iowa Lakes coaching career: "It was good for the guys to get outside and get to play some golf alongside some competition. It's been a cold spring so far and this is the first couple of rounds that we have gotten to play. There is definitely room for improvement and the guys know that but there were a lot of good things to build on. The team carded 15 birdies today, so that is something to use moving forward. It's a little different not being the person with a club in your hands, but I am looking forward to the rest of season and tomorrow and I know the team is as well. It's going to be a fun spring." The Lakers tee off tomorrow for round 2 at 9:00 AM with more rain in forecast.