GREENSBORO, N.C. – The No. 1-ranked Washington and Lee University men's golf team finished the first round of the 2025 ODAC Men's Golf Championships in fifth place, posting a team score of 297 (+9) on Monday at Forest Oaks Country Club (Par 72, 6,970 yards).

Despite a challenging day on the par 4s, the Generals remain well within striking distance of the lead heading into Tuesday's second round, trailing first-place Lynchburg (287, -1) by ten strokes. Randolph-Macon (295, +7) and Hampden-Sydney (295, +7) sit tied for second, while Shenandoah (296, +8) is fourth.

The course played tough with an average score of 76.27 among the 55 players, but W&L's Jonathan McEwen shined, leading the individual field after an outstanding 7-under-par 65. The sophomore standout sits six strokes ahead of a pack of five players tied for second place. 

Team Standings (Top 5 After Round 1)

• No. 8 Lynchburg – 287 (-1)
• Randolph-Macon – 295 (+7)
• No. 18 Hampden-Sydney – 295 (+7)
• No. 49 Shenandoah – 296 (+8)
• No. 1 Washington and Lee – 297 (+9)

Team Performance Highlights

• Par 3 Scoring: 2.80 avg. (-4) – Best in field
• Par 4 Scoring: 4.48 avg. (+24) – 10th of 11 teams
• Par 5 Scoring: 4.85 avg. (-3) – Tied for 4th in field
• Total Birdies: 17 – 3rd most in field
• Total Pars: 48
• Fewest Bogeys: 15 – Best in field
• Double Bogey+ Holes: 9 – Second most in field

Individual Highlights

• Sophomore Jonathan McEwen carded a 7-under 65 to grab first place individually, leading the field in multiple categories. He finished -2 on par 3s (2.5 avg.), -2 on par 4s (3.8 avg.), and -3 on par 5s (4.25 avg.) while racking up six birdies, the most by any player in the field, and an eagle.
• First-year Charlie Krasnewich sits T-24th at +3 (75). He was strong on the par 5s, going 2-under (4.5 avg.), and added four birdies on the day.
• Senior Will Braxton is tied for 33rd at +5 (77), also recording four birdies and playing par 3s at 2.75 (-1).
• First-year Timothy Kaufman and senior Elias Malakoff are tied for 45th at +8 (80). Kaufman finished 2-under on par 5s (4.5 avg.), while both players were even-par on the par 3s.

By the Numbers

• Birdie Leaders: McEwen (6), Krasnewich (4), Braxton (4)
• Eagle: McEwen (1)
• Par 3 Dominance: W&L posted the best team average at 2.80 (-4)

Up Next

The Generals will continue their pursuit of the title when second-round play resumes Monday, April 29, with tee times beginning at 9:00 a.m. W&L will be grouped with Shenandoah and Averett, teeing off from Hole 1 at Forest Oaks. Live scoring for the event can be found here.