MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – McLain Leberte recorded a 1-over-par 73 Monday on the opening day of the 2011 Club Glove Sun Belt Conference Championships to pace the University of South Alabama men’s golf team in its effort to defend last season’s championship.

With a round that included one birdie and two bogeys, Leberte is tied for 11th place individually, while the Jaguars are fifth out of 11 teams after posting a group total of 298 over the opening 18 holes.

Jack Hiluta added a 74 at the par-72, 7,170-yard Shoals’ Fighting Joe Course to also end the day in the top 20, while Blake Kelley chipped in with a 75, Lane Hulse recorded a 76 and David Leathem had an 84.

Leberte bogeyed the first hole, a 611-yard par five, but moved back to even par after posting a four at the 537-yard seventh.  After another bogey on No. 8, the sophomore closed out the round with 10 straight pars.

Hiluta made the turn at even par after a birdie on the third and a bogey on the fourth, following up with birdies on both par-five holes on the back nine.  An all-conference selection the last two seasons, Hiluta is in a tie for 18th place after the first round.

Kelley is tied for 24th one shot behind Hiluta, as his opening round included a birdie on the par-four eighth hole.  Kelley parred each of the first five holes as well as his final three of the day.

Hulse had a team-best four birdies over the first 18 holes, including three on the back side of the course.  The freshman recorded fours on both par fives — Nos. 12 and 17 — as well as a birdie on the 14th hole to finish in a tie for 29th.  Leathem is tied for 52nd place, as he equaled Hulse with three birdies on the back nine; two came back-to-back at Nos. 13 and 14, and he was the only Jag to post a two on the 151-yard 18th.

With three of the six players in the field of 55 below par, Denver recorded a 4-under-par 284 to take the first-round lead.  North Texas posted a 287 to finish under par as well, Louisiana-Monroe carded a 291 and Arkansas State was at 293.  ULM’s Nick Wilson is ahead after the first 18 holes following a 4-under-par 68, with Carlos Ortiz of the Mean Green one stroke behind him.

“With the way the tournament is set up, as the defending champions we were paired in the late wave.  That left us playing in the highest winds from start to finish,” Jaguar head coach Ben Hannan commented.  “It was a long day — a six-hour round — and a grind.

“The guys played hard today, they really hung in there.  We didn’t score as well as we played, there were some errant three-putts and a couple of other miscues; otherwise, the guys put together some really solid golf.  As part of the early wave tomorrow, hopefully we will be able to take advantage of those circumstances to post a lower number and put ourselves in a good position going into the final round.”

Due to the threat of inclement weather, Tuesday’s second round will begin an hour later than originally scheduled at 8:30 a.m.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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2011 Club Glove Sun Belt Conference Championships
The Shoals’ Fighting Joe Course, Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Par 72, 7,170 yards

Team Scores: 1) Denver 284 (-4); 2) North Texas 287; 3) Louisiana-Monroe 291; 4) Arkansas State 293; 5) South Alabama 298; 6) Louisiana-Lafayette 299; 7) Troy 301; 8) UALR 302; 9) Middle Tennessee 303; 10) Florida Atlantic 315; 11) Western Kentucky 318.

Individual Leaders: 1) Nick Wilson, ULM 68 (-4); 2) Carlos Ortiz, NT 69; T3) Klinton Krieger, DU 70; T3) Ole Ramsnes, DU 70; T5) Oskaw Arvidsson, DU 71; T5) Rodolfo Cazaubon, NT 71; T7) Zach Portemont, Troy 72; T7) Josh Jones, NT 72; T7) Lloyd du Preez, ASU 72; T7) Chris Pledger, ASU 72.

South Alabama Scores: T11) McLain Leberte 73 (+1); T18) Jack Hiluta 74; T24) Blake Kelley 75; T29) Lane Hulse 76; T52) David Leathem 84.