Erie, Pa. – The 2009 Battle of Lake Erie men's golf tournament got underway Saturday, April 18 at Downing Golf Course, hosted by Mercyhurst College. Gannon and Penn State Behrend are also taking part in the two-day tournament.

Mercyhurst's Tyler Bidwell leads the field of 26 golfers with a first-round score of 68. His round of golf Saturday was his best score of the 2008-09 season. Derek Elliot, Garrett Kimple and Matt Mahoney each fired 75 shots and are tied for fifth in the competition. Derek Fisher registered 77 strokes for the first round and is in a tie for eighth place. Michael Sito is tied for 11th place after shooting a 79 Saturday.

Colin Farabuagh and Mike Wayner recorded 80 strokes apiece and are tied for 13th after day one. Ben Deets sits in 18th place after his first round score of 81, and Patrick Jackson shot an 85 to tie him for 22nd place.

Team results are unavailable at this time, but will be posted after the second round concludes Sunday, April 19.

The second round of the Battle of Lake Erie tees off Sunday, April 19. 

For individual results from today's golf action, please click here.