Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta State University Blazer golfer Michael Rafalowicz hits the ball off the tee on the ninth hole Monday at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club.

VALDOSTA — North Alabama shot a 6-under par second round to take a one-shot lead over Barry University following Day One of the First Federal Southeastern Collegiate golf tournament at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club.

Led by senior Tyler Chandler, who posted the lowest score of the day for any individual, the Lions erased a four-shot deficit following the conclusion of round one, shooting a 6-under par second round to grab the lead from Barry University, who led the majority of the day. Chandler led the charge, finishing the first day at 10-under par to take a three-shot individual lead over West Florida’s Carlos Rodriguez.

“I spent a lot of time working on my putter the last week and a half,” Chandler said, crediting his success to his work on the greens. “It just started clicking today…The wind did die down and it made nearly ever hole easier.”

Chandler and Rodriguez will play in the final group today, along with Lynn’s Marcelo Rozo.

“Playing with Carlos is always a challenge,” said Chandler, who is making his third career appearance at Kinderlou. “He makes you want to birdie more holes, so it is always a lot of fun to play with him.”

No. 1 ranked Lynn sits third in the tournament, shooting a team score of 570 (6-under). Lynn used the improved afternoon playing conditions to shoot a second round 277 (11-under par), as a team. West Florida is 3-under par, shooting a 6-under in the second round.

Host Valdosta State is tied for 11th with Georgia Southwestern after shooting a 596 (20-over par). The Blazers shot an opening round 12-over, but managed to shoot an 8-over in the second round.

“We have been getting off to a slow start and then getting accustomed to the situation,” Valdosta State head coach Jared Purvis said. “That is just our normal thing. We have to get off to a  better start, and hopefully the better play of the second round will carry over to (today) and maybe we can move up the leader board.”

Defending tournament champion Georgia College and State University is ninth at 11-over par.

Barry held the lead for the majority of the day, racing out to an impressive 11-under par in the early morning hours. The Bucs finished the morning round at             7-under par, and as the tournament leader.

In the early morning hours, the Bucs were joined by the Florida Southern Mocs, who sit at 3-over par and in fifth place after Day One. Florida Southern’s early round success was attributed to the play of Lee White, who birdied six of his first eight holes, including five-straight. White eventually evened out, finishing the final 11 holes of his opening round with two bogey’s and nine pars to bring his score to 68. He sits tied for eighth place after the conclusion of the first day, shooting a second round 73.

With White cooling off, the Mocs saw two players post triple bogeys and saw several bogeys from other golfers, and fell to just in the pluses in a matter of holes.

Valdosta State was led by Max Van Dresser, who played as an individual and didn’t contribute to the overall team score. Van Dresser finished the day at 2-under par and tied for 11th. Travis Huston was the highest scoring team contributor for the Blazers, posting scores of 75 and 72. Huston is tied for 30th heading into today’s round.

“We have cut back on the mistakes, but we have to eliminate the mistakes — mental mistakes,” Purvis said. “We still have to do a better job with that, but every one is playing very consistent and now we just have to take it the other step and go under par. Max Van Dresser is playing well as an individual, which is great to see. I still expect a lot from his for the next three years. He might be a key player for us down the stretch.”

Armstrong Atlantic’s Gus Wagner was the first to post an eagle on the day, notching the feat on the par-3 11th. Columbus State’s Victor Monty also eagled the hole in the first round.

VSU’s Wheaton Hall posted the highest single-hole score of the day, scoring a nine on the par-5 fourth in the opening round. Hall is  tied for 52nd after finishing the day at 8-over par.

The tournament concludes today with a single round. Play begins at 8:30 a.m.