BELLE VERNON, PA – The Gannon men's golf team is off to a strong start in the season-opening California Vulcan Invitational.

Gannon led by seven strokes and Golden Knights newcomer Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) was tied for the individual lead on Sunday evening when the second round of the tournament was suspended because of darkness. Rain and lightning also hampered the action during the day as the teams attempted to play 36 holes.

Gannon's top four players combined for a 24-under-par at Cedarbrook Golf Course to lead the 18-team tournament.  Davis & Elkins College was in second place at 17 under, while the third-place teams were at 7-under par. A total of 121 players are competing.

Ferry, a junior who transferred from Mercyhurst University during the offseason, was in a three-way tie for first with a 9-under-par score through 31 holes when play was suspended. He shot a 7-under 64 on his 18-hole first round. He was 2-under through 13 holes in his second round.

Gannon's No. 1 player, senior Abe Holmes (Barrie, Ontario/Barrie North Collegiate), was tied for fourth place back at 8-under-par, and sophomore Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) was tied for seventh at 6 under. Holmes shot a first-round 67 and was 4-under par through 13 holes in the second round.

Newcomer Shaunak Rama (Bryanston, South Africa) rounded out the Gannon scoring at 1-under through 30 holes.

Playing as individuals, Gannon's Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights) was tied for 11th at 5-under par, Dylan Flynchbaugh was tied for 20th at 2 under.

Rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast for Monday when they golfers try to complete the tournament when play is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.

Team leaderboard:
1. Gannon (1)  -24
2. Davis & Elkins College (1)  -17
T3. Wilmington(DE) (1) -7
T3. Glenville State College (1)  -7
5.  Goldey-Beacom College (1)  -5

Individual leaderboard:
T1 .Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) (1) Gannon -9
T1. Alex Easthom (1) West Liberty -9
T1. Alejandro Gomez (1) Dominican College -9
T4. Abe Holmes (Barrie, Ontario/Barrie North Collegiate) (1) Gannon  -8
T4. Rory Gorman ‡ (1) Charleston -8
T4. Sean McAufield (1) Davis & Elkins College  -8
T7. Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) (1) Gannon -6
T7. Alexander Lundvall (1) Dominican College - NY -6
T7. Bobby Lugiano (1) Millersville U. -6
T7. Tyler Cleaves (1) Wilmington(DE)  -6
T11. Elijah Rupper Gannon -5
T20. Dylan Flynchbaugh Gannon -2

Gannon scores:
1. Gannon   -24 (play suspended in second round)
T1. Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) (2)  -9 (31 holes) 64 in 1st round
T4    Abe Holmes (Barrie, Ontario/Barrie North Collegiate) (1)  -8  (31 holes) 67 in 1st round
T7    Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) (4)  -6  (32 holes) 69 in 1st round
T26    Shaunak Rama (Bryanston, South Africa) (5)    -1 (30 holes) 71 in 1st round
T54    Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy) (3) +3 (32 holes) 72 in 1st round
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Playing as individuals:
T11. Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights)  -5 (32 holes) 67 in 1st round
T20. Dylan Flynchbaugh  -2 (32 holes) 71 in 1st round
T66. Zach Abdallah (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) +5 (30 holes) 72 in 1st round