WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. – The Gannon University men's golf team's spring season is off to a solid start through Day 1 of the Saddlebrook Spring Kickoff on Thursday.

Coach Dustin Coleman's Golden Knights were in second place among nine teams after the opening day of the tournament, which was played at the par-70 Saddlebrook Course at Saddlebrook Golf & Tennis Resort.

Freshman Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy) led Gannon with a 1-over-par 71 as Gannon finished with a four-golfer total of 7-over-par 287. Ashland led the tournament with a 3-over 283 score through Thursday's round.

Delorenzi had birdies on No. 1, No. 11, and No. 12, and he carded 11 pars and four bogeys.

Three Gannon players were tied for sixth place through the opening round. Juniors Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) and Shaunak Rama (Bryanston, South Africa), and sophomore Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights) each shot a 2-over 72 for the Golden Knights. Ruppert and Rama each registered three birdies in their round, while Ferry had two birdies.

Gannon's lineup was rounded out by sophomore Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) (81), senior Abe Holmes (Barrie, Ontario/Barrie North Collegiate) (82) and freshman Dylan Flinchbaugh (Saegertown/Saegertown) (82), but their scores did not count toward the team total.

The men's golf team is competing for the first time since a fall season when it won five tournament team titles and five individual titles and then placed second in the PSAC Championships.

The Saddlebrook Spring Kickoff will continue with 18 holes on Friday and conclude with 18 holes on Saturday.