MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 18, 2024) – Returning to the site of his first collegiate win, ETSU's Mats Ege carried the Blue & Gold in Monday's opening round of the General Hackler Championship from The Dunes Golf & Beach Club.
 
Ege, who tallied one eagle and four birdies, fired a 4-under 68 to sit tied for third on the leaderboard. Ege was one of seven golfers to record an eagle as he posted a three on the par-5, 529-yard No. 5. Ege got hot on the back nine as he birdied four of his first seven holes to get to five-under on the round. The Buccaneer leader gave one back on the par-3, 185-yard No. 17 and finished with a par on No. 18 to hang the 68.
 
Chattanooga's John Houk and UNCW's Walker Isley hold a share of the individual lead at 5-under 67.
 
As a team, the 15th-ranked Bucs finished with a 1-under 287 on Monday and are right on the heel of the leaders. Louisville and Chattanooga both posted a 2-under 286 to earn a share of the leader after day one in Myrtle Beach. College of Charleston and UNCW are both tied for fourth at even-par 288.
 
The Bucs dominated the par-5s on Monday as they led the field at 13-under. Chattanooga, North Florida and Western Carolina were the next closest teams at 7-under. ETSU also generated the second-most birdies in the opener with 18.
 
Remi Chartier led the Bucs with five birdies in the opener and is tied for 13th at even-par 72. Chartier was two-under through 16 holes but finished with back-to-back bogeys.
 
Jenson Forrester is tied for 22nd (+1), while Algot Kleen and Matty Dodd-Berry are both tied for 33rd (+2).
 
The Bucs will be grouped with Louisville and Chattanooga in Tuesday's second round. ETSU tees off starting at 10:30 a.m.
 
Fans can follow live scoring all tournament at Golfstat.com.
 
For more information on Buccaneer men's golf, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men's golf page.