by Eva Dean Folkert
The Hope College women's golf team fired its lowest round since 2017 on Friday, led by a career-best score shot by Grace VanDellen. The junior from Oxford, Michigan (Lutheran Northwest) carded a four-over 76 en route to leading the Flying Dutch to a team total of 315 after the first day of the 16-team Kyle Campbell Invitational hosted by Olivet College.
Hope also shot its lowest round ever in 15 years at the Kyle Campbell Invitational played at The Medalist Golf Club in Marshall, Michigan.
The Flying Dutch holds an eight-stroke advantage over second-place Westminster College (Pa.) which recorded a 325 and a nine-stroke advantage over third-place Saint Mary's College (Ind.) which finished with a 326. The two-day event concludes Saturday, Sept. 11. Tee off is at 8:30 a.m.
Sophomore Emlin Munch (Traverse City, Michigan/Traverse City Central) was Hope's next low scorer with a 79. She was followed by senior Megan Jenkinson (Traverse City/Traverse City West) and sophomore Abby Fansler (Muskegon, Michigan/Reeth-Puffer) who each shot an 80. Senior Megan Radaz (Alma, Michigan/Alma) finished with an 87.
Playing as an individual, junior Rita Cheney (Mason, Michigan/Mason) fired a 73, the lowest round of the day. That score was also a career-best for Cheney.
