Florence, Ind.- The University of Findlay women's golf team sits in first place after day one of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Championship on Thursday, April 16. The tournament is being played at Belterra Golf Club, a 5,756-yard, par-71 course that has hosted the event each of the past two years. The Oilers posted rounds of 291 (+7) and 292 (+8) for a 36-hole total of 583 (+15), building a 26-shot lead over Ashland.

The Oilers, ranked fifth in the latest Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) National Poll, have four players in the top five, holding the top four spots. Junior Ashleigh Duflo led the way after rounds of 73 (+2) and 72 (+1) and is three-over par after day one. 

One shot behind her is senior Ellie Yeazell who is four-over par after scores of 75 (+4) and 71 (E). 
Sophomore Gracie James is in third at six-over par, carding rounds of 70 (-1) and 78 (+7).  Meanwhile,  senior Hayley Dye is seven-over par with rounds of 73 (+2) and 76 (+5). 

Findlay utilized a substitution on the day, as sophomore Avery Thompson played round one for the Oilers while freshman Emma Myers competed in round two. Thompson carded a 76 (+5), while Myers posted a 73 (+2).

Findlay will close out stroke play tomorrow morning and are in a solid position to make the medal match play portion of the event. This format, introduced in the G-MAC tournament four years ago, sends the top two teams from stroke play into a head-to-head battle on Saturday. Medal match play involves players from each team competing directly against each other, with each match earning a point and the first team to reach three points securing the tournament title.

The Oilers will continue the hunt for their eighth consecutive G-MAC title and ninth consecutive conference title. Findlay has also had an individual win the conference title for nine consecutive seasons.