BEDMINSTER, N.J. - The James Madison men's golf team posted a 9-over 297 and is tied for the lead after the first round of the Barnabas Health Intercollegiate, Sat., Oct. 15. The two-day, 36-hole tournament, hosted by Seton Hall University, is being played at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club (Par 72 - 7,014 yards) in Bedminster, N.J.

The Dukes battled the gusty winds at the River Course and to post their 297 and finishing the first round in a tie with host Seton Hall. Temple is in third, one shot backa t 298, with LIU-Brooklyn in fourth at 301 and Longwood completing the top five at 305.

Madison is led by senior Chris Wellde (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) with a 1-under 71, his second-best round of the fall. Senior Mike Smith (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla./Nease) and freshman Trey Smith (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) are tied for 10th after each shot a 3-over 75, with junior Rich Leeper (Chapel Hill, N.C./Carrboro)  one shot behind the pair in a tie for 20th at 4-over 76. Junior Ryan Vince (Charlotte, N.C./Providence) enters the final 18 tied for 41st after a 7-over 79. Seton Hall's Brandon Park is the opening round leader after a 3-under 69, leading by two over Wellde, Longwood's Ross Sumner and Obediah Ayton of LIU-Brooklyn.

JMU will go off No. 1 in the final group with Seton Hall and Temple, starting at 10 a.m.