Baldwinsville, NY—Russell Sage College's men's golf team opened play on Saturday at the 2021 Empire 8 Fall Championships held at Timber Banks Country Club, a 72 course with a 6,739 distance.  RSC stands in fourth place in the team race, just 10 strokes out of first place.

RSC's sophomore Austin Carpenter (Peru, NY/Peru) leads the field after the first 18 holes. Carpenter fired a 74 for the opening day with five birdies, including four straight birdies to finish in first and stand just two over par for the round.

Team Scores

1^st        St. John Fisher                        311

2^nd       Oswego State                         314

3^rd        Utica College                          319

4^th        Russell Sage                            321

5^th       Elmira College                             340

6^th        Nazareth                                 359

7^th        Keuka College                         362

Carpenter's 74 leads field of 41 performers, while senior Stuart Phair (Canberra, Australia/Trinity Christian School) carded a 79 and is tied for eighth place through round one. Graduate player Blake Pritchard (Malone, NY/Franklin Academy) is tied for 17^th after he carded an 83.  

Rookie Shane Kammerman (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) stands tied for 21^st place with an 85, while junior Aidan O'Neil (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie) is 27^th on his 88. Graduate performer Ethan Peters (Hudson, NY/Hudson) carded a 141 for the day.

The championship wraps on Sunday with an 11 a.m. tee time.