GIG HARBOR, Wash. -- The George Fox men's golf team came out strong on the first day of the PLU Invitational; they ended the day in fifth place with an overall score of 300 (+12). 

Leading the Bruins was Truman Fletcher, who ended the day with an even 72 (E), tying for a strong fifth place overall. On the front nine he birdied on hole five, and continued to  improve into the back nine with three more birdies. Elli Harrell also had a birdie on the front nine, and added two more birdies to his score on the back nine. Harrell finished off the day tied for 15th contributing a score of 75 (+3). 

Next up was Luke Powell, who had a first round score of 76 (+4), good for 24th place. Powell had three birdies overall; two of which were on the front nine and the other on the front. Joel Martinez did very well on the front nine with two birdies and a score of 35 (-1). At the end of the day, he tied for 31st and finished 77 (+5). Rounding out the five Bruins on the "A" team was Ian Powers, who had two birdies that contributed to his gross outcome of 82 (+10). 

Four other players also competed for Fox on the "B" team, which finished in a tie for 12th place after a first round score of 326 (+38); Christian Chacon ended his day in 45th place with a 79 (+7), Otto Klein in 47th with an 80 (+8), Ian MacArthur in 52nd with an 81 (+9), and Blake Johnston in 64th with a 86 (+14).

Willamette ended the first day in first place, shooting a total of 292 (+4). Willamette's AJ Papajohn was the lead scorer individually, going 69 (-3) with five birdies. 

The Bruins will stay in Gig Harbor for the second day of the PLU Invitational, looking to make their mark early. They will be playing on Tuesday, September 30.