Veterans now of the NCAA Division III Championship experience, the Hope College women's golf team is teeing off with confidence and excitement.
The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association-champion Flying Dutch are eager to compete at the 2016 NCAA Division III Championships in Houston, Texas this week. It is their second trip to nationals in a row and overall.
Hope finished 11th in its NCAA debut last season.
"I think we're more relaxed. The women seem to be ready," Hope coach Greg Stafford said. "We just want to go out and play. We know the format. It's a different course, but I would like to think it means we can score even better. We feel more comfortable."
The Flying Dutch qualified for nationals by winning the MIAA's 54-hole national qualifying tournament that concluded on April 30.
Hope is golfing at Bay Oaks Golf Club. The Flying Dutch's first round in the 72-hole event begins today at 8:45 a.m. Central.
Five golfers will compete: senior Morgan Leep of Hastings, Michigan (South Christian HS), junior Britni Gielow of Norton Shores, Michigan (Mona Shores HS), sophomore Megan Klintworth of Jackson, Michigan (Hanover-Horton HS), sophomore Nicole Meyer of Brighton, Michigan (Brighton HS), and sophomore Megan Wierenga of Byron Center, Michigan (South Christian HS).
Bay Oaks Golf Club offers a unique challenge for Hope, Stafford said.
"It's completely different than anything we played all spring," Stafford said. "There was no flooding here. There is a ton of roll. We didn't play a course with roll all spring. That takes a little getting used to, but it's a beautiful old course. It's very nice."
Click here for the NCAA Championship digital program.
