by Eva Dean Folkert

Playing in its first match since mid-October 2019, the Hope College women's golf team is off to a solid start after the MIAA's first jamboree of 2021 on Saturday at Trine University's Zollner Golf Course. 

The 531-day layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a test of his golfer's patience, said head coach Greg Stafford, but he feels they have passed the time with acute focus and desire to compete. 

"I think we're better now than what we were in the fall," said head coach Greg Stafford. "We're a solid team, and we're very optimistic."

The Flying Dutch posted a team total of 326, just seven strokes out of first place claimed by Saint Mary's College (319) and one stroke away from second place secured by Calvin University (325).

"This first league match, you can lose it (the league title) in this match by blowing up, but you can't win it, no matter how low you go," Stafford said. "We didn't lose it. We feel we are in a beautiful spot right now."

Hope was led by senior Abigail Meder (Lansing, Mich./Lansing Catholic Central), pictured right, who shot a 77.

She was followed by junior Megan Jenkinson (Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City West HS) who carded an 81; senior Jordyn Rioux (Farmington, Mich./Livonia Ladywood HS) with an 83; sophomore Grace VanDellen (Oxford, Mich./Lutheran Northwest HS) fired an 85; and, freshman Emlin Munch (Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City Central HS) with an 89.

Junior Megan Radaz (Alma, Mich./Alma HS) and sophomore Rita Cheney (Mason, Mich./Mason HS) played as individuals and shot rounds of 87 and 90, respectively.

Hope travels to South Bend, Indiana, on Tuesday, March 30 for the league's second jamboree to be hosted by Saint Mary's College. Tee time is 1 p.m.