The 2012 NCAA Division II National Championships Festival got under way Tuesday with the opening round of the men's golf championship. Central Oklahoma, led by Josh Creel's seven-under 65, sits atop the team leaderboard after day one Cardinal Club.

As a team, the Broncos shot nine under par Tuesday, putting them six strokes clear of UNC Pembroke. All four scores posted by the squad (five golfers compete with the lowest four counting) were at or under par, a solid all-around performance on a course that can be challenging, according to head coach Pat Bates.

“The guys played great,” said Bates. “The conditions were perfect. If you keep the ball in play out of the tall grass, you can score. If you don't, the course is difficult. It's a good challenge and a good test, especially at this level of golf.”

Creel overcame a slow start himself, sitting at one over par through the first five holes. From there, however, the junior from Cheyenne, Wyo., carded only one bogey compared to seven birdies and an eagle on hole 17 (he started on number 10) that gave him momentum for the rest of the morning.

“I made an eagle that kind of jump-started the round for me,” said Creel of his performance. “From then, I played pretty steady. I didn't make many mistakes and got the ball in the right positions.”

The Broncos were one of 20 teams, five from each region, that qualified for this year's championship. Second- and third-round play continue the next two days, with the top eight teams advancing to match play Friday and Saturday.

Western Washington, Cal State Chico and Georgia College rounded out the top five. Zack Kempa of Indiana (Pennsylvania) had the next lowest individual score at four under par.

COMPLETE RESULTS

CHAMPIONSHIPS CENTRAL