MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – Eastern Illinois men's golf opened play at the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Easter Sunday with several players attacking the Fighting Joe Course as the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail - The Shoals.
 
The Panthers sit in 11th place after the opening 18 holes with Belmont the first round leader.  Billy Basham of Eastern Kentucky was the round one leader with a six-under, 66.  A total of 18 players had rounds under par on Sunday.
 
Eastern Illinois leader in the clubhouse was Romeo Perez in a tie for 25th as he was one over at 73. 
 
Pierce Allord shot 75 followed by Marcello Verdolin with a round of 76 as the two Panthers were for 35th and 41st in a tightly contested first day of golf.
 
Senior Charlie Adare was the fourth EIU scored player with a round of 80 that placed him 50th.  Nick Nguyen shot an opening round 89 to sit in 55th place.
 
EIU returns to action on Monday morning with 18 holes before wrapping up the championship on Tuesday.