by Eva Dean Folkert
The No. 12-ranked Hope College men's golf team finds itself in fifth place, nine strokes back, after the first day of competition in the two-day Illinois Wesleyan Invitational played at Ironwood Golf Course in Normal, Illinois.
The Flying Dutchmen recorded a team score of 293 on Friday afternoon. Host and No. 3-ranked Illinois Wesleyan leads with 21-team field with a 284.
Seniors Josh Gibson and Ben Kramer are currently in the top ten on the individual leaderboard. Gibson of Grandville (Grandville HS) shot a team-best, two-under 70, while Kramer of Spring Lake (Spring Lake HS) carded an even-par 72.
Gibson is tied for fourth place and Kramer is tied for ninth.
Senior Andrew Goble of Brighton (Brighton HS) recorded a 75 (tied for 30th place); junior Daniel Settecerri of Bloomfield Hills (Bloomfield HS) shot a 76 (tied for 41st place); and, junior Noah Weigle of Grandville (Grandville HS) finished with a round of 77 (tied for 61st place).
There are total of 120 golfers playing in the IWU Invitational.
Hope continues play tomorrow, Saturday, April 6, at Ironwood. Tee time is 9 a.m. Central.
