CORONA, Calif. --- Tucked into lush green foothills in Corona, California is Eagle Glen Golf Course, which provided a picturesque backdrop for day one of the California Baptist Men's Invitational on Monday.
 
Head Coach Max Allen's Biola Men's Golf team began play with 36 holes during the first day of competition and had a good round and one that was spoiled a bit by windy conditions.
 
The Eagles find themselves in 14^th place out of 19 teams two-thirds of the way through the tournament. Allen's team carded a 308 in the first round and 313 in the second with Tristan Ginkel shooting the low round in both 18-hole segments.
 
"We knew this would be a tough course for us," said Allen. "The course changes throughout the round as it meanders tightly through the mountains and back into the open valley. Add the gusty winds like we had the last nine holes and the course becomes even more difficult."
 
Ginkel tied with Austin Bishop for a team-best 76 in the first round and then was one of just two Eagles to improve their score in the second round as he led the way with a 75. After the first day of competition he is tied for 29^th in the 100-man field.
 
"Tristan played like a veteran unfazed by the winds. He recognized which holes and pins he could be aggressive with and which to leave alone," said Allen. "He adjusted the trajectory of his shots and finished with a strong second round. He treated the wind to his advantage just like we have talked about it past events. We know other players will get frustrated by the changing and difficult conditions. If we take a positive approach that alone gives us a better chance of handling it."
 
Ginkel is the only Eagle in the top half of the field heading into tomorrow's final round. He is followed by Bishop (76 – 79 | 54^th), Kyle McAbee (77 – 80 | 66^th), Cameron Bauer (79 – 80 | 71^st) and Kaden Page (84 – 79 | 83^rd).
 
"Despite Austin's scores not looking too distant from his season averages we were both left wanting more," said Allen. "A year removed from shooting under par numbers and holding the individual lead, this was a course Austin was excited to pick apart. He did a fine job hitting the ball but the greens proved deceptive and fast making birdies hard to come by."
 
Bishop and the others will have a chance to improve upon their scores with the final round tomorrow. Eagle Glen's pin placement will make for a bit shorter course tomorrow as the teams tee off at 8:00 a.m.