GOLF: Heat, T-Birds lead the pack after Day 1 at 2025 CW Golf Championships

UBC men hold three shot lead, while UBC and UBCO women enter Tuesday's final round tied

20 October 2025

CHILLIWACK, B.C. – The temperatures may have been cool, but the competition heated up quickly on Day 1 of the 2025 Canada West Golf Championships.

Cool fall air and lingering fog made for a serene backdrop at Chilliwack Golf Club for Monday's opening round. In women's action, the UBC Thunderbirds and UBCO Heat jumped ahead of the pack and will enter Tuesday's final round tied atop the team standings. On the men's side, UBC enjoyed a strong finish to the day and opened up a three stroke lead on second place UBCO.

VIEW DAY 1 RESULTS

Following a wet Sunday, conditions were damp but playable as the rain held off for most of the day. With both leaderboards tightly packed, the stage is set for an exciting final round under what’s expected to be clearer skies.

Tuesday's final round will begin at 8:30 a.m. PT. Following the tournament, the individual and team medals, along with the Canada West All-Stars, will be announced.

Supporters can follow along by visiting the championship's live scoring page.

WGOLF | Hao leads after strong opening round

The battle between UBC and UBCO was the story of the day in the women's competition, as the top eight individual performances came courtesy of the Heat and Thunderbirds. The two programs battled stroke for stroke, finishing even par in the team standings to set up a dramatic battle in Tuesday's final round.

UBCO will look to make history in pursuit of their first team title, while UBC looks to continue their dynasty. The Thunderbirds have won every iteration of the CW Championships dating back to 2019 and are looking to extend their dynasty to six straight seasons.

Victoria finished the day in third (+15), followed by Calgary (+20), UFV (+33), Alberta (+34) and Lethbridge (+48).

UBC's Katherine Hao entered the clubhouse with a narrow one stroke lead in the individual standings, sinking four birdies while posting an impressive two-under 70.

All three scoring members from UBCO tied for second place after shooting even-par 72, including Julia Alexander-Carew, Lauren Nedo and Kiana Chen. Teammate Bess Chan was close behind with a one-over 73.

A trio of Thunderbirds also shot 73, including Grace Yao, Sienna Harder and Keira Hou.

Third-place Victoria was led by Cindy Koira with a three-over 75. Fourth-place Calgary will be in the hunt for a team bronze on Tuesday, led by Brooke Tombs, who carded a two-over 74.

MGOLF | Benson leads pack after shooting six-under

In the men's competition, Manitoba's Derek Benson will enter Tuesday as the clubhouse leader as he looks to become the first Bison golfer to win a Canada West individual title. The fourth year student-athlete from McCreary, Man. caught fire with an impressive six-under-par 66, including sinking seven birdies. He'll take a one stroke lead into Tuesday.

The lead is far from comfortable, however, with five golfers within two strokes of the top.

UBC's Forrest Van Alstine is in second after leading the T-Birds with a five-under 67. His teammate Jake Houston was a stroke behind after a four-under 68, while Aneesh Kaura and Brett Stouffer each shot a two-under 70.

While UBC has a three stroke advantage, the reigning team champions from UBCO are in striking distance. Chris Jo led the Heat with a four-under 68, while last year's individual champion Ryan Gillis was right behind with three-under 69.

Victoria's Owen Croft and Fraser Valley's Hayden Lazeo are in the hunt, sitting two back after shooting 68.

Women's Individual Standings - After Round 1