STOCKTON, Calif. – Three Coyotes shot under par in the opening round of the Visit Stockton Invitational led by freshman Ben Hicks who is 5-under-par and is tied for second place. The South Dakota men's golf team is tied for ninth at the event taking place at Stockton Country and Golf Club.
 
Hicks, playing in the event as an individual, totaled three birdies and added an eagle in a bogey-free round as part of his 66 strokes. He is two strokes behind event leader Kevin Velo of San Jose State. Velo ended the first 18 holes at 7-under-par with 64 strokes.
 
Senior Tommy Vining is tied for ninth after shooting a 3-under-par 68. He ranks third in the field with six birdies and shot 4-under-par on the back nine.
 
Sophomore Tate Arends is tied for 26^th after shooting 1-under-par with 70 strokes. Junior Scott Fudenberg shot an even-par 71 and is tied for 37^th.
 
The Coyote scorers wrapped up with sophomore Jacob Michel and junior Matt Tolan. Michel is tied for 67^th with 75 strokes while Tolan is in 88^th position with 82 strokes.
 
San Jose State leads the field at 13-under-par with 271 strokes as Stockton Country and Golf Club is playing 6,480 yards and to a par 71. South Dakota shot an even-par 284 in the opening round and is tied with host Pacific for ninth place.
 
The Visit Stockton Invitational continues with the second round on Friday before concluding on Saturday.