Eastern men’s golf team finished in eighth place of 10 teams after the first round of the three-day Ohio Valley Conference Championships at the Paducah Country Club in Paducah, Ky.

The Panthers shot a team total of 318 (+30), which is three strokes behind Jacksonville State and Samford, both of whom are tied for sixth place with a score of 315. Eastern Kentucky is in the lead with a team score of 288.

Eastern seniors Mike and Matt Imburgia said the weather in Paducah was fantastic with no wind and relatively high temperatures.

Matt Imburgia was the low man for the Panthers on Sunday, shooting a 76 (+4), which puts him in a tie for 11th place.

Matt said he was indifferent with his play in the first round.

“I didn’t hit the ball that well, but one thing I did do is get the ball in the hole,” he said.

He bogeyed five of the first seven holes but played superb golf during the remaining 11 holes, scoring three birdies and one double bogey to finish with a 76.

“I am happy with the way I competed,” Matt said. “After three holes I was +3, and I could have easily packed it in. Instead, I went out there and salvaged it and ended up having a pretty decent round.”

Mike Imburgia was four strokes behind with 80. His score was good enough to put him in a tie for 27th place.

Mike said he was not happy with his performance on Sunday.

“With the conditions the way they were, the scores were high,” Mike said. “I hit the ball well, but I have to find a way to just get the ball in the hole.”

Sophomore Matt Bird and freshman Francisco Cherizola are both one shot behind Mike Imburgia as each shot 81 and are tied for 32nd place.

Eastern Kentucky junior Jesse Massie leads the field after a first-round, two-under 70, and the Colonels are in first-place as a team with an even-par 288.

Mike Imgurgia said the course was playing tough on Sunday.

“The wind was down, but this place has fast greens,” Mike said. “With courses like this, if you get the wrong spin it will roll off and go into a hazard. You have to be careful to hit high-quality shots.”

Matt Imburgia said the team did not do as good as it had hoped.

“It’s like (Eastern head coach Mike Moncel) always says to us about three-day tournaments,” Matt said. “You can’t win a tournament in one day, but you can shoot yourself out of one. I am disappointed with how we played today, but I think if we keep going and play well we can get something done.”

The second round of the tournament begins at 8 a.m. Live scoring of the event can be viewed through the OVC Web site.

Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or at dscusack@eiu.edu.