HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Bridgewater College men's golf team opened the Kinder Williams Home Invitational on a hot start as the squad sits atop the leaderboard with a 288 even par after the first round in a field of 16 teams Monday. 

Senior Brandon Washburn is currently tied with fellow teammate Walker Gillespie for second place among 92 golfers at Lakeview Golf Club. 

Washburn played big through the first nine holes, managing just one bogey and remaining even. Then, on the back nine the Powhatan, Va., native caught fire with four green numbers including an eagle on hole 11. Washburn finished with another bogey but found great success overall in the first round with a –4 (68). 

Then, Walker Gillespie followed suit with Washburn scoring a 68. Gillespie nailed two birdies through the front nine and added an additional four more birdies to total an impressive –4 on the back nine.  

Freshman Jackson Baugher from the 'B Team' spotted a –1 and a top 10 finish through the first 18 holes. Baugher held steady throughout the first round, carding two birdies on the front nine as well as a third birdie at No. 14 for a 71. 

Sophomore Cai Clark was the next Bridgewater finisher on the 'A Team' placing 25th in an eight-way tie. Clark scored a 75 with helpful back-to-back birdies on the back nine to recover well from the four red numbers on the front nine. Also, in 41st place was sophomore Lliam Collins. Despite a double bogey on No. 4, Collins bounced back with two birdies on the first 18 to come away with a 77.  

To round out the first round for the 'A Team', the final Bridgewater finisher was freshman Jayden Hendricks. Hendricks also placed 41st in an nine-way tie for a 77 first round score. 

The Eagles return to play at Lakeview Golf Club for round two tomorrow, Sept. 16.