VICTOR, N.Y. – The Amherst College men's golf team returned to the national stage for the first time in 27 years on Tuesday, shooting a 22-over 310 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships on the par-72 Cobblestone Creek Country Club. The Mammoths are tied for 27th place in the 43-team field after the first of four rounds.

First-year Andre Zhang carded three birdies on the back nine to lead the Mammoths with a 3-over 75, tied for 53rd of the 225 golfers competing for the national championship. Classmate Jan Ebbinge was once stroke behind to tie for 75th place.

Junior Mark Vitels finished with a 6-over 78 to tie for 119th place and classmate Paari Kaviyarasu shot a 9-over 81 to tie for 167th.

Illinois Wesleyan leads after the first round with a 2-over 290 as a team, while the individual lead is shared by Lynchburg senior Edward Coffren and Bethel senior Will Karkoc with a 4-under 68.

The second round tees off on Friday (May 20) and the Mammoths will be moving over to Midvale Country Club in nearby Penfield for the remainder of the tournament. With rain forecast later in the day, the second round has been changed to a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Only the top 18 teams after the second round and the top six individuals not on those teams will make the cut and advance to the final two rounds.