The Hope College women's golf team opened play at the Battle at Blackthorn on Monday, carding a first-round score of 334 to sit in eighth place at Blackthorn Golf Club.

Hosted by Bethel University, the multi-team event saw Grace College claim the top spot on day one with an opening-round 303, while host Bethel finished three strokes back in second place with a 306.

Senior Jaiden Winters (New Carlisle, Indiana / New Prairie HS) paced the Flying Dutch attack on day one, carding a team-low round of 81 to place 20th individually.  

Senior Kylie Gernaat (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Christian) and sophomore Kennedy Gernaat (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Christian) finished right behind, shooting identical rounds of 84 to end the day tied for 29th place.

Rounding out the scoring for Hope were sophomore Gabby Hanover (Mason, Michigan / Mason) and senior Rachael Jones (Grove City, Ohio / Grove City), who both turned in matching rounds of 85 to finish tied for 37th overall.

Hope is back on the course for day two on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 8 a.m.