Eight Hope College golfers finished within three strokes of each other as the Flying Dutchmen opened the 2015 season with a sub-300 round. 

The Flying Dutchmen sit in fourth place out of 10 teams with a 298 score after the first round of 36-hole Lou Collins Memorial Invitational hosted by Olivet College at Bedford Valley Country Club in Battle Creek.

Senior co-captain Kevin Cross of East Grand Rapids, Michigan (East Grand Rapids HS), and junior Winton Munch of Traverse City, Michigan (Traverse City Central HS), carded 2-over-par 74s to lead Hope. They are tied for 15th place.

Sophomore Kade Hoeksema of Byron Center, Michigan (Grand Rapids South Christian HS), and Andrew Goble of Brighton, Michigan (Brighton HS), also contributed to Hope's team score and were one shot behind their teammates, tied for 22nd place.

Freshman Ben Kramer of Spring Lake, Michigan (Spring Lake HS), rounded out the Flying Dutchmen's team round with a 76. He is tied for 26th.

Five other Hope golfers competed as individuals on Friday.

Three of them fired 74s: junior Alec Breit of Muskegon, Michigan (Western Michigan Christian HS), senior co-captain Paul Bardenhagen of Cedar, Michigan (Leland HS), and sophomore Jack Geshay of Indianapolis (North Central HS).

Freshman Josh Gibson of Grandville, Michigan (Grandville HS), chipped in an 78, while freshman Justin Folkert of Hamilton, Michigan (Hamilton HS), had an 88.

Hope trails first-place Calvin by nine strokes. Saturday's final round tees off at 9 a.m.