by Eva Dean Folkert
After the first day of the 14-team Lou Collins Memorial Invitational hosted by Olivet College, the Hope College men's golf team is just one stroke back of leader Siena Heights University.
In their opening round of competition for the 2021 fall season, the Flying Dutchmen shot 300 to stand in second place on Day 1 at the Bedford Valley Country Club in Battle Creek. The Siena University Saints recorded a 299 while University of Michigan-Dearborn is third with 301, Trine University is fourth with 302, and Calvin University is fifth with 306.
Lou Collins Memorial Invitational Website
Hope was led by junior Jack Crawford of Carmel, Indiana (Carmel HS) and sophomore Will Robson of Grand Rapids, Michigan (East Grand Rapids), pictured left to right, who each fired one-over-par rounds of 73 to tie for fifth place individually.
Next for Hope, junior Seth Almquist of Minneapolis, Minnesota (Wayzata) finished with a round of 76, good for 18th place. He was followed by sophomore Logan DeWitt of Zeeland, Michigan (Holland Christian) who carded a 78 and freshman Jack Guerrera who shot an 80.
Playing as individuals, freshman Ben Jackson recorded a two-over 74; junior Tim Wageman of Chesterfield, Michigan (Saline) and freshman John Barce had rounds of 76; and freshman Will Webb, a 79.
The Flying Dutchman complete play in the Lou Collins Memorial Invitational as the second round gets underway at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4.