by Eva Dean Folkert
Sometimes, just one less stroke is all you need to remain on the right course.
The Hope College women's golf team won the second MIAA Jamboree at Milham Park Golf Club in Kalamazoo by the narrowest of margins on Saturday. The Flying Dutch shot a team total of 332 to edge out Adrian College which finished with a 333. Calvin University totaled 335 for third place while Saint Mary's College took fourth with a 336.
The victory is Hope's second in league competition and seventh overall. So far, the Flying Dutch have not finished out of first place in any round they've played in this season.
After two MIAA Jamborees, the Flying Dutch (652) are in first in the league standings by nine strokes over Calvin (661). Adrian stands in third (667).
Two Hope players finished in the official top-ten at the event hosted by Kalamazoo College. Sophomore Emlin Munch (Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City Central), pictured, shot a career-low 76 to tie for second place and senior Megan Radaz (Alma, Mich./Alma) tied for ninth place by an 83.
Also contributing for the Flying Dutch were junior Grace VanDellen (Oxford, Mich./Lutheran Northwest) who fired an 85; senior Megan Jenkinson (Traverse City/Traverse City West) who carded an 88; and sophomore Abby Fansler (Muskegon, Mich./Reeths-Puffer) with a round of 89.
Playing as individuals, junior Rita Cheney (Mason, Mich./Mason) shot a 79, and freshman Lauren Sass (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Marian) finshed with a 92.
The Flying Dutch host the third MIAA Jamboree on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at Clearbrook Country Club in Saugatuck. Tee off is 1 p.m.