TAMPA, Fla. – At the Conference USA Men’s Golf Championships at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club in Dade City, Fla., the Charlotte 49ers posted a first round 285 to sit atop a field that has six of the 14 teams within seven shots of the lead. Charlotte came up with three sub-par rounds among their five golfers on the 7,083-yard, par 71 layout.

Rusell Killough (68), Mike Shamp (69) and John Samaha (70) paced the 49ers and place first, third and fifth respectively. UAB’s Clark Brown is tied atop the leader board with Killough at 68.

Charlotte’s lead may have been even larger if not for Samaha’s misfortune on the 18th green, where he had a birdie putt opportunity for a 66, but wound up with a five-putt on the slick green.

UAB and TCU are tied for second at 288, while Houston (289), host South Florida (290) and Southern Mississippi (292) are all in striking distance. Southern Miss was forced to play its first round without top golfer Justin Emil, who returned home after his father’s death on Sunday. The Golden Eagles played with four golfers today and plan on filling the Emil spot on Tuesday.

The teams play 18 holes on Tuesday before a final round on Wednesday. Tee times both days start at 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.