WATERLOO, Iowa - The 2026 American Rivers Conference Women's Golf Championships got under way on Sunday at Sunnyside Country Club as the University of Dubuque women's golf team was able to jump out to a six-stroke lead through 18 holes.

The Spartans will head into day two on Monday with a six-stroke lead over Wartburg College after three golfers find themselves in the top ten on the individual leaderboard. The Spartans led the league today with six birdies and 41 pars and played the par 5's extremely well with a 5.15 average score

Sophia Thier competed in her first conference championship round today and finished with a team-best 81 (+9) on her scorecard. Drew Hoffer also carded an 81 today and is tied for fourth along with her teammate. Both Thier and Hoffer are currently tied for fourth place and just four strokes back of the lead.

Payton Morton scored an 82 (+10) in the opening round and is currently in a five-way tie for seventh place. Kaycee Newman is tied for 12th place and sits one shot back of Morton with an 83 (+11), while Olivia Hines rounded out the field for the Spartans with an 84 and holds 16th place through round one.

UD Individual Standings
T-4. Sophia Thier - 81 (+9)
T-4. Drew Hoffer - 81 (+9)
T-7. Payton Morton - 82 (+10)
T-12. Kaycee Newman - 83 (+11)
16. Olivia Hines - 84 (+12)

Team Standings
1. Univ. of Dubuque - 327 (+39)
2. Wartburg - 333 (+45)
T-3. Simpson - 336 (+48)
T-3. Buena Vista - 336 (+48)
5. Central - 348 (+60)
6. Coe - 353 (+65)
7. Loras - 354 (+66)
8. Nebraska Wesleyan - 382 (+94)


Up Next
The Spartans will tee off at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow morning for round two of the A-R-C Women's Golf Championships.