Junior Brandon Matthews is tied for fifth place after shooting an even-par 70 on Thursday during the first day of competition at the NCAA Regionals in New Haven, Connecticut.

After scoring par on the first six holes, Matthews bogeyed three of the next five holes. The Dupont, Pennsylvania native then birdied three of the final seven holes to finish the day at even par.

“I feel really good because I’m hitting the ball really nice,” Matthews said. “I fine-tuned it yesterday and the swing felt really good.”

Matthews, who is tied with six other players at even par, is six shots behind the current leader —  South Florida sophomore Rigel Fernandes, who shot a six-under 64 on Thursday.

Matthews said he needs to improve on his short game in order to improve his score.

“Hopefully that just takes effect tomorrow,” Matthews said.  “We just want to see some more birdies roll in.  I’m in a good spot.”

The golf team’s schedule, released Monday, has the squad participating in six tournaments this fall.

The team first tees off on Sept. 22 at the Hartford Hawk Invitational in Hartford, CT. The team’s only local tournament is the Temple Invitational Oct. 11-12 in Hundington Valley, PA.

Last season at the Temple Invitational, the team finished fourth, which was its second-best finish all season. The team will conclude play for the fall at the Wendy’s Kiawah Classic in Charleston, South Carolina.

After two days of competition, sophomore Brandon Matthews is tied for sixth overall at the 2014 American Athletic Conference Championships.

On the first day of competition Matthews shot a two-over 73, which placed him 13^th overall out of 151 golfers. He started strong, as he was one among the top five golfers. But Matthews shot three over on his final four holes. He responded with a strong outing on Monday, shooting a one-under 70. He was one of seven golfers to break par on what was a windy day in Palm Harbor, Fla.

As a team, the Owls are currently in ninth place out of the 10-team field, 44 shots behind the leader – Central Florida. The event features a strong field, as five teams participating are currently ranked in the Top 50.

Junior Matt Teesdale is tied for 30^th after shooting a three-over 74 on Sunday and a six-over 77 on Monday.  Senior Matt Crescenzo is tied for 42^nd after posting a six-over 77 on Sunday and a 10-over 81 on Monday. Freshman Evan Notaro and junior Mike Amole are 49^th and 50^th overall, respectively.

The Owls tee off Tuesday at 8:20 am.

After standing in fifth place after the first day of the Wolfpack Intercollegiate, Temple finished seventh in the 17-team tournament at the Lonnie Pool Golf Course in North Carolina.

Sophomore Brandon Matthews led the Owls with 9-under performance to finish third overall. Matthews was one of 15 golfers to shoot par or better on the final round of the tournament.

In two rounds Monday, Matthews shot a 67 and 68, then finished Tuesday’s round with an even par 72.

Junior Matt Teesdale finished in a tie for 15^th overall with a one-over 217. Senior Matt Crescenzo shot a six-over 222 to tie for 32^nd overall.

Rounding out the lineup was senior Russell Hartung, who finished 75^th and freshman Evan Galbreath, who finished right behind his teammate in 76^thplace.

East Tennessee State won the event with a combined score of 843.

This weekend, the Owls will host the Temple Invitational at Philmont Country club on Saturday and Sunday.

The golf schedule for the 2013 fall season has been released.

The schedule features five tournaments spanning from Sept. 14 through Oct. 13.

The season will get underway at The McLaughlin Tournament on Sept. 14 in Farmingdale, N.Y. and conclude at the Temple Invitational at Huntingdon Valley, Pa. on Oct. 13.

Five tournaments are listed on the schedule, with each one lasting two days.

Aside from Farmingdale, N.Y., the Owls will play tournaments in Newport, R.I., South Cent, Conn., Raleigh, N.C. and Huntingdon Valley, Pa.

Temple is led by the efforts of 2013 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, sophomore Brandon Matthews, junior Matt Teesdale, who posted three top-ten finishes in six events in the spring, and senior Matt Crescenzo.

You can view the entire schedule here:

http://owlsports.com/schedule.aspx?path=mgolf