The Hope College women's golf team opened the Irish Hills Invitational with a strong first-round showing Friday at Tecumseh Golf Club, placing second among nine teams after shooting a 329. 

The Flying Dutch sit just four strokes behind host Adrian College at the nine-team event after the Bulldogs rallied over the final three holes to overtake Hope for the lead. Adrian shot 325. Third-place Alma College finished third at 356.

Senior Rachael Jones (Grove City, Ohio / Grove City HS) led the Orange and Blue, firing a 77 to finish tied for first individually heading into the final round that ties off on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 12:30 p.m.

Senior Jaiden Winters (New Carlisle, Indiana / New Prairie) followed with an 82 to tie for fourth.

Senior Kylie Gernaat (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Christian) shot an 83 to tie for sixth.

Senior Allyson Zuidema (Northville, Michigan / Northville) added an 85 to tie for 10th, playing as an individual, followed by sophomore Gabby Hanover (Mason, Michigan / Mason) with an 87 to tie for 13th. 

Sophomore Kennedy Gernaat (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Christian) rounded out Hope's scoring lineup with a 90, placing 18th.