Wisconsin–Eau Claire’s women’s golf team made a strong start to the 2026 Golfweek October Classic on Sunday, October 18, posting a 27-over-par 315 to share third place after the opening round at The Links Golf Club at Sandestin in Destin, Florida.
Senior Lilly Kaminski led the Blugolds with a 4-over 76, securing a tie for fifth individually. Freshman Grace Raich added a 78 to share 13th place, helping Eau Claire remain within three strokes of second-place UC Santa Cruz.
The performance continues an impressive October for the Blugolds, who won their first Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women’s golf championship since 2013 just one week earlier.
Lilly Kaminski Leads Eau Claire’s Opening-Round Effort
Kaminski delivered Eau Claire’s lowest score on Sunday, recording four birdies on the front nine before finishing with a 76.
The senior shares fifth place with several competitors, including Gustavus Adolphus sophomore Teckla Wahlstrand and Illinois Wesleyan’s Emily Gastrau.
Kaminski begins the second round three strokes behind the individual leaders.
Yvette Gorden of Huntingdon College, Olivia Lew of UC Santa Cruz and Julia Sosa of Mary Hardin-Baylor each opened with a 1-over-par 73 to share the lead.
Kaminski enters the tournament after finishing runner-up at the 2026 WIAC Championship, where she recorded a three-round total of 232.
Her latest performance gives Eau Claire another opportunity to compete for a leading individual finish against a large NCAA Division III field.
Grace Raich Helps Blugolds Secure Top-Three Position
Freshman Grace Raich provided another important contribution with a 6-over 78.
Raich recorded two birdies and eight pars during Sunday’s round, securing a share of 13th place individually.
Sophomore Tally Schlindwein finished with an 80, placing her tied for 26th, while senior Elizabeth Hermann contributed an 81 and sits tied for 32nd.
Karalyn Skinner completed the five-player lineup with an 84.
UW-Eau Claire Women’s Golf: Round One Results
| Player | Score | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Lilly Kaminski | 76 (+4) | T5 |
| Grace Raich | 78 (+6) | T13 |
| Tally Schlindwein | 80 (+8) | T26 |
| Elizabeth Hermann | 81 (+9) | T32 |
| Karalyn Skinner | 84 (+12) | T56 |
The team’s four counting scores combined for 315, placing Eau Claire among the leading programs after the first 18 holes.
Mary Hardin-Baylor Leads Golfweek October Classic
Mary Hardin-Baylor set the early pace with a 13-over-par 301, taking an 11-stroke lead over UC Santa Cruz.
Eau Claire shares third place with Huntingdon College, while Trinity University is one stroke behind the pair.
Golfweek October Classic Women’s Team Standings
| Position | Team | Round 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
The competition features 24 teams and is scheduled to continue through Tuesday, October 20.
With only four strokes separating second place from fifth, positions near the top of the leaderboard could change considerably during the remaining 36 holes.
Eau Claire Builds on Historic WIAC Championship
The Blugolds entered the Golfweek October Classic after one of their most significant victories in recent years.
On October 11, Eau Claire captured the WIAC Championship at Reedsburg Country Club with a 54-hole total of 933.
The result ended a 13-year wait for the conference title and marked the program’s tenth WIAC women’s championship.
Four Eau Claire golfers finished inside the top six individually, led by Kaminski’s runner-up performance.
The championship also secured the program an automatic berth in the 2027 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship.
Now competing against a wider field in Florida, the Blugolds have an opportunity to build on that success before the fall schedule concludes.
What’s Next for UW-Eau Claire?
Eau Claire is scheduled to begin its second round on Monday morning, October 19, at The Links Golf Club.
Kaminski will be looking to reduce her three-stroke deficit to the individual leaders, while the team attempts to move closer to second-place UC Santa Cruz.
The tournament concludes Tuesday, October 20, after the third and final round.
For Wisconsin–Eau Claire, the opening round has provided an encouraging start. The challenge now is to maintain its position near the top of the leaderboard and finish a successful fall campaign strongly.