PHOENIX, Ariz. --- It is bright, sunny and over 100 degrees in Phoenix right now, but even those conditions couldn't keep the Biola men's golf team off the course as it began its new season with the first round of the 2014 Firestorm Fall Invitational hosted by Arizona Christian.
 
Its was the first collegiate round ever for Samuel Shih and Cameron Bauer, and these two of Biola's four freshmen impressed with sub-75 rounds at the par-71 Stonecreek Golf Club. Joining Shih and Bauer in the sub-75 club is team captain William Langworthy, who shot a 74, which is just two strokes off his career-best.
 
"I think the day belongs to the freshmen and our captain," said Head Coach Hank Woodrome. "For two freshmen to play that well in their first tournament was really impressive. I know they both will help our team immediately."
 
Biola turned in a 311 team score to put them in 10^th place overall, 18 strokes off the lead held by Arizona Christian.
 
Shih's 73 was the lowest round of any Eagle on the day, and he teamed with Langworthy, Kevin VandeKamp (82), Lucas Kinan (82) and Joel Smith (84) to set Biola's total team score for round one.
 
Bauer was among three golfers from Biola who played as individuals and did not count toward the team score. This round marks the first time since 2010 that the men's golf team had as many as eight golfers on the course.
 
The Eagles have a chance to make up some spots in the team competition prior to the conclusion of play tomorrow afternoon, as they sit just 12 strokes back from a top-5 finish.
 
"We just need to stay in the present while we are on the course and not worry about the outcome and we will be fine," said Woodrome.

Play resumes at 7:00 a.m. local time tomorrow morning.