The first round of the National Junior College Division III golf tournament did not go the way Riverland hopefuls Jeff Clark and Joe Hewitt had hoped.

Clark, a defending All-American from Austin, shot 39-43--81 to finish in a tie for 43rd after the first day of the NJCAA National Golf Tournament Tuesday at Chautauqua, N.Y. Hewitt, a freshman making his first nationals appearance, is tied for 84th entering this morning's second round.

"Neither one of them putted very good," said Riverland golf coach David Lillemon. "The course played tough, especially the greens."

Clark commented before the tournament that putting could make or break a round at the Chautauqua Golf Club's Lake Course, a 3,031-yard par-72 course.

However, only Jared Decker of Eastfield College (Texas) had that figured out in the first round. Decker was the overall leader at 3-under-par 69 -- the only under-par golfer after day one. Eastfield also leads the five-team field in the overall standings.

Clark carded a 43 on the back nine but rebounded with a 39 on the front side. Hewitt started on No. 1 and shot 42-44 to finish tied for 84th overall out of 104 individuals.

Highlighting other Region XIII representatives included Minneapolis' Clayton Johnson, who is tied for fourth with a 73 on the scoreboard. Justin Heitkamp of Central Lakes is tied for 22th at 78.

The national tournament resumed this morning with both Riverland golfers teeing off at approximately 10:30 a.m. EDT.