WAIKOLOA, Hawai'i – The Hawai'i Pacific University men got off to a slow start in the first round of the annual Dennis Rose Invitational that started Monday at the Kings Course of the Waikoloa Resort.
 
The Sharks posted a 308 in the first round to tie with Colorado Christian for 11th, six strokes better than Dixie State at 314. Notre Dame de Namur is 10th at 305 in the 16 team affair.
 
HPU was led in the opening round by freshman Blake Mullen of Overland Park, Kan./Olathe East who fired a 3-over-par 75 on the par 72, 7074-yard Kings Course.
 
Sophomore Keli'i Kamelamela-Dudoit of Ho'olehua, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama and senior Minsu Lee of San Jose, Calif./Willow Glen both shot a 5-over 77, with junior Ryan Torres of San Jose, Calif./Evergreen Valley carding a 7-over 79. Sophomore Ray Kim of Aiea, Hawai'i/Moanalua added an 84 for the Sharks.
 
Sonoma State leads the team competition after the first of three rounds, collecting a team score of 1-over 289. Stanislaus State is five strokes behind in second at 294, with Concordia Portland six back at 295.
 
Sonoma's Devin Gregg fired a 4-under 68 to lead the first round, with UC San Diego's Ryan Vaughan a stroke behind at 3-under 69. Stanislaus State's Michael Jura III and Cal State Monterey Bay's Elis Svard are tied for third at 1-under 71.
 
The second round of the tournament will have a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. on the Kings Course. The Sharks are matched up with host Hawai'i Hilo, Colorado Christian, Notre Dame de Namur.
 
The final round is slated for Wednesday morning.