FAYETTEVILLE, Pa. – Justin Griffith shot a two-over 74 during the first round of the Fairleigh Dickinson Invitational in Fayetteville, Pa on the Founders Course at the Penn National Golf Club Friday and is tied for 5^th place after 18 holes.

Temperatures in the Chambersburg area were 35 degrees with wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour. Only one of the 50 players shot under par.

Griffith, a junior playing in his 20th consecutive collegiate event for the Tigers, was even par after the opening nine holes then proceeded to eagle the 524-yard par-5 10^th hole to move to 2-under. He was still 1-under par through 15 holes, but finished double bogey, par, bogey.

"He had it going and was putting the ball in the right spots all day," head coach Mike Larkin said. "There were some really tricky hole locations and he made a few putts and was on the right side of the hole most of the day. He let a few get away at the end, but 74 is still an extremely solid round. Justin came off the course frustrated, but I reminded him how good a round that was in the conditions."
 
The Pittsburgh native shot a career-best 69 during the second round of the Furman Invitational last weekend. After three tournaments this spring, he leads the team in scoring average. Six of his nine rounds, including today, have been 75 or better.  
 
Brad Riley and Julian Gonzalez each carded 79, while Jackson Courtney and Jeremy Summerson each shot 80. The average score for the round was 78.76.

"I thought the guys played pretty well for the most part in tough conditions," added Larkin. "They did a good job trying to control what they could control. I told them when we got back, shooting 79 or 80 today is like a 75 on a normal day. Although we had to count a couple high scores, we are still in striking distance."

The Fairleigh Dickinson Invitational includes 10 teams – Bryant, Fairleigh Dickinson, LIU, Mount St. Mary's, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, St. Francis (PA.), Towson, Wagner and Youngstown State. Towson ended the day in 7^th place, but is just three shots of fourth. 

Saturday's final round is scheduled for a 10:15 a.m. shotgun start, but officials are expecting a frost delay. Towson will begin on the 9^th hole. All five players are playing together.

TOURNAMENT DETAILS 
Host: Fairleigh Dickinson
Location: Fayetteville, Pa.   
Dates: April 2-3, 2021 
Course: Penn National Golf Club (Founders Course) – 6,972 yards; par 72