Andrew Goble posted one of the best rounds in Hope College men's golf history Saturday to lead the Flying Dutchmen to victory at the Olivet College Lou Collins Memorial.
The sophomore from Brighton, Michigan (Brighton HS) fired a 6-under-par 66 at Bedford Valley Country Club in Battle Creek for a tournament-record, 36-hole total of 137. Goble surpassed his first-round score of 71 to claim medalist honors.
Spurred also by Winton Munch's 69, Hope recorded a final-round total of 284 to win the 12-team, 36-hole tournament with a 4-under score of 575. They finished 11 strokes ahead of runner-up Madonna and 13 ahead of first-round leader Kalamazoo, which finished third.
"It's huge," Hope coach Bob Ebels said of his team's performance. "Every year it gives us a jump start. It allows us to make a statement that we're ready for MIAA play."
School records only account for rounds shot in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play. Goble's 18-hole performance was one stroke off Nick Campbell's Hope-record 65 in 2012 at Zollner Golf Course in Angola, Indiana.
Goble collected seven birdies and 10 pars on Saturday. He bogeyed just one hole.
"I could tell he was striking the ball. He was always in the middle of the fairway," Ebels said. "He prepared so well during the summer. He changed drivers, hits the ball further the higher and with less spin - all the things to building his confidence. His confidence is really at a high level."
Munch's effort was one of the best in team history as well. The senior from Traverse City, Michigan (Central) had four birdies and one bogey.
"He was one happy camper out there," Ebels said. "He was enjoying himself. That's what golf is all about."
Sophomore Josh Gibson of Grandville, Michigan (Grandville) chipped in a second-round 75. He tied for 14th place at 5-over.
Sophomore Ben Kramer of Spring Lake, Michigan (Spring Lake) shot a final-round 80 to tie for 29th at 10-over.
Junior Kade Hoeksema of Byron Center, Michigan (South Christian HS) carded a second-round 74 for 34th-place at 11-over.
Three Hope golfers played as individuals. Freshman Daniel Settecerri of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (Bloomfield Hills) finished at even-par for the day.
Freshman Noah Weigle of Grandville, Michigan (Grandville) came in at 2-over for the second round, while junior Jack Geshay of Indianapolis, Indiana (North Central) was 3-over.
