GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — The Walters State golf team opened the 2018-19 season Monday by grabbing the first round lead at the Bob Dibble Classic hosted by Tusculum University at Link Hills Country Club.

The Senators fired a team score of 11-over par 295 to lead the five-team tournament by two strokes over host Tusculum (297). Emory & Henry is third at 301, followed by Lincoln Memorial (308) and Roane State (351).

Alex Hodge paced the Senators with a two-over par total of 73, putting him in a tie for third place in the individual standings. Dane Rheinecker, Elliott Smith and Hunter Blanken all carded a three-over par 74, putting them in a tie for fifth place. Stephen Owen tallied a 78 and sits in 17th place overall.

Emory & Henry's Wesley Jones leads the tournament after firing a one-under par 70, with Tusculum's Matt DiBella in second with a one-over par 72.

The final round of the tournament is scheduled for Tuesday.