No. 1 Bulldogs take charge in Meridian

No. 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast shook off a slow start in the first round of the Lou Hart Invitational and finished 10 shots in front of the field Monday.

The Bulldogs shot 1-over at Northwoods Country Club, leading host Meridian. That's a 15-shot swing from the first five holes, when Gulf Coast trailed by five.

"You take out the rough start and then the last hole, we played a really good golf," Gulf Coast coach Brad Thornton said. "We'll clean up a few things in that little stretch where we gave away a little too many shots, but the guy really battled back and posted some really good scores. That puts in a great spot for tomorrow with a couple individuals trying to go for the individual win."

Harlan Yerger (Fr., Oxford/Oxford) has a chance to become the fourth different Bulldog to win an event this year. He's tied for the lead at 1-under 70. John Mark Mills (So., Pontotoc/Mike Bender Golf Academy) and Stanley Campbell (So., London, England/Essex Golf College), both previous winner, shot even par and are tied for fourth.

"It's been the same game plan, trying to keep the ball in play off the tee and not make any big mistakes," Thornton said. "He just needs to play a little more consistent golf, and that's what we saw out of him."

The Eagles are ranked sixth in the Bushnell Golfweek NJCAA Division II Coaches Poll, and 10^th-ranked Jones is 12 shots back of Gulf Coast.

The teams will play the final round of the regular season Tuesday. The MACCC event concludes with 18 holes, starting with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.