VANCOUVER – A hole-in-one by Evan Holmes (Calgary) and a 28-shot lead in the team standings highlighted the first day of action for the UBC Thunderbirds at the Association of Independent Institutions men's golf conference championship Monday in Chesterton, Ind.
 
Teams played two rounds on Monday at The Brassie Golf Club in Chesterton. The Thunderbirds opened with a 4-under-par 284 and then bettered that score by posting an 11-under 277 in the second round. UBC's total going into the final day of competition is 15-under 561. The Victoria Vikes are at 13-over 589 and the SUNY Delhi Broncos are third at 45-over 621.
 
Junior Holmes and rookie Andrew Harrison (Camrose, Alta.) sit atop the individual leaderboard at 5-under 139. Both players shot 2-under 70 before carding 3-under 69's to cap off the day.
 
Holmes made his hole-in-one in the first round on the par-3 15th hole, using a 7-iron from 160 yards out.
 
Senior Nate Ollis (Victoria, B.C.) sits alone in fourth at 3-under 141 (72-69).
 
Rookie Trent Abraham (Hamilton, Ont.) and junior Jack Wood (Banff, Alta.) are tied for fifth spot at 2-under, with both going 72-70.
 
The A.I.I. championship wraps up Tuesday with 18 holes of play. The team champion will represent the conference at the 65th annual NAIA Men's Golf National Championships May 24-27 at TPC Deer Run in Moline, Ill.