EDMOND, Okla. - Texas Wesleyan fired an eight-over par, 288, in the opening round of the Oklahoma Christian Eagle Invitational Monday afternoon.

     There are 25 teams and 128 individuals competing at the Par-70 Coffee Creek Golf Club.

     Texas Wesleyan is only eight shots back of tournament-leader Johnson & Wales (Fla.) who shot an even-par 280.

     "As a team, we didn't play that well," head coach Kevin Millikan said. "We needed a fourth score to go along with our top three."

     Sophomore Scott Sikes leads the Rams, shooting a one-under, 69, to sit in a tie for seventh. Junior Reino Deetlefs (70) is tied for 13th, while senior Justin Ward (73) is tied for 36th. Sophomore Dan Hahn (76) is tied for 66th, and senior Euan McIntosh (77) is tied for 78th.

     Bo Abney of Berry College leads all golfers with a 65 in the opening round on the 6,623-yard course.

     "Today's conditions were absolutely perfect," Millikan said. "The scores were a lot higher than I expected them to be. Every team is still in contention.

     The tournament will conclude with 18 holes on Tuesday, but the weather is not likely to cooperate, with rain in the forecast.