Teckla Wahlstrand delivered a strong opening-round performance at the 2026 Golfweek October Classic on Sunday, October 18, shooting a 4-over-par 76 to share fifth place individually at The Links Golf Club at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Florida.
The Gustavus Adolphus College sophomore finished just three strokes behind the tournament’s joint leaders, while the Gusties posted a team score of 43-over-par 331 to sit 12th among 24 competing teams after the first round.
With two rounds remaining, Wahlstrand is well positioned to challenge for a top individual finish, even as Gustavus looks to improve its standing in the team competition.
Wahlstrand Leads Gustavus in Challenging Conditions
Wahlstrand was Gustavus’s standout performer during Sunday’s opening round, navigating windy conditions and unfamiliar greens to record a 76.
Her effort secured a share of fifth place in the 120-player field.
The individual leaderboard remains tightly contested, with three golfers sharing first place at 1-over-par 73.
Yvette Gorden of Huntingdon College, Olivia Lew of UC Santa Cruz and Julia Sosa of Mary Hardin-Baylor all opened with 73s.
Claire Smith of Mary Hardin-Baylor follows in fourth after shooting 74.
Wahlstrand is part of a group tied for fifth on 76, leaving her three strokes off the lead heading into Monday’s second round.
Gustavus head coach Scott Moe acknowledged that strong winds and unusually slow greens presented challenges for his players, particularly during the opening nine holes.
Despite those difficulties, Wahlstrand produced a consistent round that kept her among the tournament’s leading competitors.
Gustavus Sits 12th After Opening-Round 331
While Wahlstrand enjoyed an encouraging individual start, Gustavus faces work to do in the team standings.
The Gusties combined for a first-round total of 331, placing them 12th in the 24-team field.
Addison Longie and Riley Zebroski each recorded 12-over-par 84s, sharing 56th place individually.
Annika Johnson contributed the team’s fourth counting score with an 87, leaving her tied for 81st.
Karina Johnson finished with an 89 and was tied for 96th.
Gustavus Women’s Golf: Round One Scores
| Golfer | Score | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Teckla Wahlstrand | 76 (+4) | T5 |
| Addison Longie | 84 (+12) | T56 |
| Riley Zebroski | 84 (+12) | T56 |
| Annika Johnson | 87 (+15) | T81 |
| Karina Johnson | 89 (+17) | T96 |
Despite sitting outside the top 10, the Gusties are only one stroke behind Southwestern University and Rhodes College, which share tenth place at 330.
That narrow margin gives Gustavus an immediate opportunity to move up the standings with a stronger second round.
Mary Hardin-Baylor Leads Golfweek October Classic
Mary Hardin-Baylor established the early advantage with a 13-over-par 301, giving the team an 11-stroke lead over second-place UC Santa Cruz.
Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Huntingdon College share third place at 27 over.
Trinity University completes the top five at 28 over.
Golfweek October Classic Women’s Team Standings After Round One
| Position | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mary Hardin-Baylor | 301 (+13) |
| 2 | UC Santa Cruz | 312 (+24) |
| T3 | Wisconsin-Eau Claire | 315 (+27) |
| T3 | Huntingdon College | 315 (+27) |
| 5 | Trinity University | 316 (+28) |
| 12 | Gustavus Adolphus | 331 (+43) |
The competition continues over 54 holes, with the final round scheduled for Tuesday, October 20.
Gustavus Looks to Build on Its MIAC Championship Performance
The Golfweek October Classic is Gustavus’s final scheduled tournament of the fall season.
Earlier this month, the Gusties finished tied for second at the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women’s Golf Championship.
Their three-round total of 920 established a new program record for a 54-hole competition, improving the previous mark by 18 strokes.
Addison Longie also impressed at the conference championship, finishing runner-up individually with a program-record 218.
Those performances underline the team’s ability to improve its standing over multiple rounds.
The challenge in Florida is translating that form to different course conditions against a large national field.
Wahlstrand’s opening 76 gives the team a promising starting point, but the Gusties will need more consistent scoring across their lineup to move further up the leaderboard.
What’s Next at the Golfweek October Classic?
Gustavus returns to The Links Golf Club for the second round on Monday, October 19, with its first scheduled tee time at 6:30 a.m. Central Time.
Wahlstrand begins the day just three shots behind the individual leaders, making her performance one of the key storylines for the Gusties.
The team will also aim to close the narrow gap to the top 10 before Tuesday’s final round.
For Gustavus, the opening round presented contrasting results: a top-five individual performance and a team still searching for improvement.
The next 36 holes will determine whether Wahlstrand can turn her strong start into a standout finish and whether the Gusties can climb the standings.