Oilers, Lakers Win 2025 Folds of Honor Challenge
ALLENDALE, Mich. – For the second consecutive year, the Findlay women and Grand Valley State men captured victories at the Folds of Honor Challenge at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University. The Oilers and Lakers earned automatic bids Wednesday into the 2026 Folds of Honor Collegiate, to be held September 7-9 at American Dunes Golf Club, with their wins.
Entering the final round ahead by 28 shots, Findlay coasted through the morning wave with eight birdies by counting scores to win by 26 strokes.
“We came in with the same mindset as the previous two days,” Head Coach Dominic Guarnieri said. “This was our ‘worst round’ of the week, but I was really impressed with how they handled themselves throughout the day. Coming in with a 28-shot lead, sometimes you can get complacent. I didn’t feel like we did that at all. We just made a few mistakes, but all in all, an awesome three days.”
“Getting to experience the Folds of Honor Collegiate this year and what that tournament stands for and everything it means, we’re super excited and so grateful,” continued Guarnieri. “Thanks to the Folds of Honor and the GCAA for giving non-Division I teams an opportunity. Dustin (Roberts, GCAA CEO) told me this year that we were one of the only two teams that actually earned our spots. To get to do it again, we’re super pumped.”
After a two-over 73 on Tuesday put her two behind teammate Ellie Yeazell, 18-hole individual leader Ashleigh Duflo recorded four birdies and a one-under 70 to move ahead and win by two strokes (-2; 68-73-70). A junior from Ada, Michigan, the individual victory is Duflo’s second of her college career, the first also coming at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University (2025 NCAA Division II East Regional) before being named a 2025 WGCA Second Team All-American.
“I bogeyed my first hole but then came back and birdied my second, so I played some solid golf throughout the day,” said Duflo. “I had no idea where I was at (on the leaderboard) all day, so I just stayed in the moment and didn’t get ahead of myself. This is my second time winning at this golf course, and this is kind of home for me, so it’s bittersweet to be able to play here and win.”
With the victory, Duflo earned an automatic exemption into the 2025 Patriot All-America Invitational, being held December 29-31 at Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
“It’s such an honor to play in an event like that, and I’m super excited to see how it is and be able to experience it,” she said.
“I’m super happy for Ashleigh,” Guarnieri said. “She was really fighting her butt off in the second round and then came back with a one-under round today to win and earn her spot in the Patriot. It’s great to see where she’s come from.”
Yeazell (T4; +3; 71-68-77), Hayley Dye (sixth; +4; 71-72-74), Gracie James (12th; +10; 73-74-76), and Emma Myers (T21; +16; 74-80-75) recorded top-25 finishes for Findlay with Duflo, while Audrey Keplar and Paige Weiss also competed as individuals.
“We didn’t play as well today as the first two days, but we still held it together,” Duflo said. “I’m really proud of everyone.”
Both the men’s team and individual championships came down to the wire. Grand Valley State entered Wednesday with a nine-stroke lead, got the lead to double digits during the front nine, and ended up having to clinch the two-shot victory on the 54th hole. Runner-up Aurora used a tournament-best five-under 279 to tie the Lakers multiple times during the back nine and consistently keep the deficit within four. Five birdies on the 17th and 18th holes by Aurora counting scores put even more pressure on Grand Valley State to close the tournament on their home course. Needing not to drop any shots on the final two holes, all five Grand Valley State counting scores parred the 18th hole while Charlie Cooley birdied the par-3 17th to secure the win.
“Today was stressful from the get-go,” Lakers Head Coach Gareth Lappin said. “We got out of the blocks quickly, but some poor par-5 play made things extremely close down the stretch. I am proud of how the guys hit good shots when it mattered most and came through under some pressure. We also had a lot of guys playing in the individual spots and they all put some great golf on display, so that is a testament to the depth we have.”
“Having the Folds of Honor Collegiate on our schedule is always special and gives us something to look forward to,” continued Lappin. “Credit to Aurora for pushing us all the way again this year. They have a very nice team and we wish them luck for their season.”
Bryce Wheeler (T4; E; 70-72-71), Cooley (ninth; +2; 69-73-73), Maverick Conaway (T10; +3; 72-73-71), and Manuel Cue Vargas (T10; +3; 72-71-73) were Grand Valley State’s counting scores on Wednesday, but it was individual Andrew GWilliams who carded four birdies, including on his final two holes (eighth and ninth), to enter the clubhouse with the individual lead. After bogeying the 15th and 16th holes, Aurora’s Jackson Hulsey birdied the 17 and 18th to force a sudden-death playoff.
Both Gwilliams (-3; 71-71-68) and Husley (-3; 68-75-67) parred the first three playoff holes (18, 18, 1), but Hulsey birdied the par-5 ninth hole to win on the fourth playoff hole minutes after sunset and earn an automatic exemption into the 2025 Patriot All-America Invitational.
The individual victory was Hulsey’s second straight, previously winning the Carthage Firebirds Fall Classic on September 9 by five strokes.
About Folds of Honor
Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of US military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 62,000 scholarships totaling about $290 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 45 percent are minorities. A total of 91 percent of expenses fund our mission of providing educational scholarships to the families of our nation’s heroes. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is serving as Commander of Recruiting for the Oklahoma Air Guard. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.
About The Meadows at Grand Valley State University
The Meadows has been the host of nine NCAA National Championships, including the NCAA Division II Women's National Championships in 1996, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2011, and 2015, as well as NCAA Division II Men's National Championship in 2001, 2007, and 2014. Please visit www.gvsu.edu/meadows for more information.
About the Golf Coaches Association of America
Established in 1958, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) is the professional organization of men's collegiate golf coaches. The GCAA's mission is to support its member coaches from six divisions, including the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA, by creating educational opportunities, providing resources, and promoting its members with the purpose of enhancing their overall performance as coaches, mentors, and teachers. The GCAA also recognizes the excellence and achievements of its members and their student-athletes in academic, athletic and civic endeavors.