COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Colorado men's golf team had its best start in postseason play in four years on Thursday.

The Buffs are tied for 12th after the first round of the 20th annual NCAA Central Regional tournament at Ohio State University.

The top-10 teams will advance to the NCAA Championship in West Lafayette, Ind., May 28-31.

Wake Forest, ranked No. 19, owns the team lead after day one with a 6-over-par 290. The Demon Deacons lead No. 3 Alabama by two strokes and No. 6 Oklahoma State by three. Colorado, ranked No. 65, turned in a 301 team score, which was matched by No. 13 Louisville and No. 28 Tennessee.

Junior Derek Tolan finished with a 2-over-par 73 for the best round by a Buff. Senior Jim Grady was one stroke back of his teammate, while sophomores Luke Symons and Justin Bardgett were at 77.

NCAA Central Regional

CU INDIVIDUALS -- T17. Derek Tolan 37-36--73; T24. Jim Grady 37-37--74; T77. Luke Symons 39-38--77; T77. Justin Bardgett 39-38--77; T136. Michael Imperato 42-42--84.

TOP 5 -- 1. Brendan Gielow, Wake Forest, 35-34--69; 2. Alexander Sitompul, Michigan, 33-37--70; 2. Graham Hill, E. Michigan, 36-34--70; 2. Kevin Tway, Oklahoma State, 37-33--70; 2. Charles Ford, Tennessee, 35-35--70; 2. Mark Harrell, Alabama, 35-35--70.

TEAMS -- 1. Wake Forest 290, 2. Alabama 292, 3. Oklahoma State 293, 4. Florida 294, 5. Eastern Michigan 297, 12. Colorado 301.