2023 Hope College Women's Golf Season Preview

Pictured, sophomore Caydee Constant

The Hope College women's golf team is back on the links — eyeing low scores and contending for an MIAA title this season.

The Flying Dutch finished third in the regular season in the fall and third in the MIAA's NCAA Division III Championships qualifying tournament last spring.

2023 Schedule

Hope opens the season with a dual match against Calvin University as the Flying Dutch host to the Knights for an 18-hole, stroke-play event on Tuesday, August 29, at 2:30 p.m. at Clearbrook Golf Club in Saugatuck.

The MIAA moves to a new format this season, eliminating the Fall Finish and the Spring Automatic Qualifier. The format to decide the winner of the MIAA automatic bid for the NCAA Championships is now determined by the lowest team score after 108 holes of play. There will be four 18-hole rounds during the fall and two more 18-hole rounds during the spring.

The first MIAA Jamboree, hosted by Albion College, takes place on Thursday, September 14, at Cascades Golf Course in Jackson, Michigan. Hope will not host a league round this fall.

Head Coach

Greg Stafford, 15th season

Stafford returns at the helm of the Hope College women's golf team. He has guided the Flying Dutch to four MIAA championships and three NCAA Division III Championships appearances in his tenure. The Flying Dutch have finished third or higher in each season he has coached.

2023 Roster

On its roster of 11 golfers, Hope returns seven letterwinners.

Senior Abby Fansler (Muskegon, Michigan / Reeths-Puffer HS) and junior Sarah Owens (Charlotte, Michigan / Charlotte) will captain the Flying Dutch. Hope's roster features two seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen.

Coach's Outlook

"I think we're going to be very competitive this year. The nice part is we're going to be young, a lot of sophomores and freshmen. That bodes well for the future. The big thing with a young team is just playing matches. It's going to take some time to get comfortable and toward how good we're going to be. With a younger team, we have to look for consistency. I really like the new format for league play. It's more of a true champion rather than who's playing well in the last week of the spring. It's more of a marathon than a sprint. Abby and Sarah have been outstanding as captains. They've handled things great." - Greg Stafford

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Players Mentioned

Abby Fansler: Senior; Mechanical Engineering

Sarah Owens: Junior; Communication

Players Mentioned

Abby Fansler
: Senior; Mechanical Engineering

Sarah Owens
: Junior; Communication