The Pinecrest boys are tied for third place at the end of the first day of the NCHSAA 4A state golf championship at Pinehurst No. 8.

Defending champion Green Hope (295) has a commanding eight-stroke lead over second-place Leesville Road (303) as it seeks its fourth state title in the last five years. Pinecrest (309) and Clayton share the third spot.

Playing early when the winds were making a difficult test of golf even more of challenge, a trio of 77s by Dylan Harris, Bryan Stewart and Sam Packard were the best scores the Patriots could muster. Austin Dunlap and Zachary Martin each posted a 78 and Nick Thompson came in at 81.

Packard is the only member of the Patriot squad that was a member of Pinecrest's state championship team in 2008. The best four of six scores count in the team total.

Defending medalist Michael Cromie of Green Hope was one of three players to share the individual lead with a round of 70. The others were Grayson Murry of Leesville Road and Logan Harrell of Hopewell.

The 36-hole event concludes at No. 8 on Tuesday. The tee times for the Pinecrest golfers (first tee) are: 9:20 a.m. Zachary Martin, 9:30 Bryan Stewart, 9:40 Austin Dunlap, 9:50 Nick Thompson, 10:00 Sam Packard, 10:10 Dylan Harris.

Team standings: Green Hope 295, Leesville Road 303, Pinecrest 309, Clayton 309, Alexander Central 310, Broughton 312, Myers Park 313, Terry Sanford 316, Davie 319, North Mecklenburg 323, Grimsley 327, Southeast Guilford 329.