by Eva Dean Folkert
The last day was their best day.
The Hope College men's golf team shot its lowest round — 287 — of the 2018 NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championship on a soggy Friday in Greensboro, N.C., and that performance vaulted the Flying Dutchmen to a top-ten team finish.
Hope started the final day of the championship in 12th place at the Grandover Resort 7,150-yard East course, but a one-under, last-round team score, and a 72-hole total of 1,177 for the championship, moved the Flying Dutchmen into sixth place, an outcome equal to their program-best finish at last year's championship.
Methodist University of Fayetteville, N.C. won the 2018 national championship with a 1,159-stroke total.
Hope was the only team to shoot under par on Friday out of 18 teams in the championship field.
"We finished up in the pouring rain today, and it was a challenge," said head coach Scott Lokers. "We were glad to put four solid scores together on the same day."
For Friday's round, Kade Hoeksema (pictured) led Hope with a three-under 69. The senior from Byron Center, Michigan (South Christian HS) fired four birdies and just one bogey.
"Kade went 72-69 to end the tournament. A great finish for him," commended Lokers. "It was just outstanding and fun to see him end his Hope career that way."
Photo of Kade Hoeksema by Joe Fisher/Concordia University (Texas)
Sophomore Daniel Settecerri of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (Bloomfield Hills HS) was Hope's other player under par, shooting a one-under 71 with three birdies and two bogeys.
Junior Andrew Goble of Brighton, Michigan (Brighton HS) carded a 73, while junior Josh Gibson of Grandville, Michigan (Grandville HS) shot a 74. Junior Ben Kramer of Spring Lake, Michigan (Spring Lake HS) finished with a 77.
Gibson, last year's individual national champion, was Hope's highest-placing individual golfer, finishing this year's tournament tied for 10th place with scores of 74-67-75-74. His score of 67 on Wednesday was the championship's overall lowest single round. Scott Campbell of Greensboro College was the only other player to shoot as low, with a 67 in Tuesday's opening round.
"Josh can be proud of his play in this year's tournament, especially as the defending champion with all the extra pressure and attention that goes with that," Lokers said. "He handled himself really well. I'm really proud of him."
A total of 96 individuals — five from 18 teams and six individuals from non-qualifying teams — made up the championship's field following the two-day cut after Wednesday's round. The championship started with 216 participants from 42 teams and six individual invitees.
Settecerri was Hope's next top finisher, tied for 29th place, with scores of 72-78-74-71. Goble finished tied for 34th place (73-73-77-73); Hoeksema came in tied for 44th (79-78-72-69); and, Kramer ended in an 89th-place tie (77-84-78-77).
"The guys were trying their hardest on every shot, in every round," Lokers continued "This is a great group of young men. They worked really hard at their games, and they enjoy each other and enjoy the competition. It's been a real privilege (to coach them) and all credit goes to these players."
