ALLIANCE, Ohio - The Malone University men's golf team teed off on the 2025-26 season on Friday afternoon with a tournament on their home course, Tannenhauf Golf Club. Through 18-of-36 holes, the Pioneers are atop the leaderboard after a team score of 304. They hold an eight-stroke advantage over Walsh University.
 
Junior Jaxon Rinkes is second overall after he put together a 1-over 73. The highlight of the day was the only eagle of the entire round on the par-5 10th hole. He also bookended his round with a birdie on holes 1 and 18. Rinkes finds himself one stroke out of first place.
 
In his first collegiate round, freshman Alfie Cracker carded a 75 (fifth). He was consistent throughout the day and had a birdie on hole 10. Sophomore Carter Miller is just outside the top-five in sixth after a first round 77. It was an up-and-down day for Miller but four birdies helped keep him towards the top of the scoreboard.
 
Sophomore Ryan Yoder (78) and senior Camden Horning (79) rounded out the Malone A-team. Both of those student-athletes are still inside the top-12 individually.
 
Freshman Easton Hamrick fired a 75 and is tied for third on the leaderboard from the B-team. The newcomer tallied five birdies in the round. Junior Cayden Rininger and sophomore Tyler DeRoy are tied for eighth after each of them had a 78 on Friday.
 
Play continues on Saturday, September 6 at Tannenhauf Golf Club where a champion will be crowned beginning at 10:30 A.M.