Two of the top Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association men's golf performances in Hope College history propelled the Flying Dutchmen to their fourth consecutive league championship and 20th overall.
Sophomore Josh Gibson of Grandville, Michigan (Grandville) and senior Winton Munch of Traverse City, Michigan (Central) finished within a stroke each other to lead the MIAA after 108 holes of competition.
They helped Hope win the MIAA's 36-hole Fall Finish at Battle Creek Country Country that concluded on Saturday at Battle Creek (298-295—593). The Flying Dutchmen placed six strokes better than Calvin over the weekend.
Hope earned the outright MIAA title with a six-round total of 1,760 for an average of 293.3 that was 5.5 strokes lower than runner-up Calvin.
A Hope golfer claimed MVP honors for the 18th time after Gibson averaged 72.2 strokes during league play. He carded a 4-over-par 76 on Saturday.
Winton, the MIAA MVP in 2013 and 2014, was runner-up for the season at 72.3. He was even-par for the final round.
Both Gibson and Munch made the six-golfer All-MIAA First Team.
Sophomore Andrew Goble of Brighton, Michigan (Brighton) earned a spot on the second team after posting a seventh-place average of 74.3. He also was even-par on Saturday.
Junior Kade Hoeksema of Byron Center, Michigan (South Christian) shot a 74 to round out Hope's scoring Saturday.
Sophomore Ben Kramer of Spring Lake, Michigan (Spring Lake) carded a final-round 84.
Playing as an individual, freshman Daniel Setticerri of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (Bloomfield Hills) had a 78 for the Flying Dutchmen.
Hope has concluded play for the fall season.
As part of their spring schedule, the Flying Dutchmen have earned the opportunity to host the final 36 holes of the MIAA's NCAA Division III national championship qualifier in April at a time and place to be determined.
