The Hope College men's golf team answered a new challenge on its home course to reach the halfway point of the MIAA season in prime position.

Hope fired three under-par rounds and one at even-par for a 282 that finished four strokes ahead of second-place Trine University. The Flying Dutchmen extended their lead after 54 holes to 12 strokes; 54 holes remain in the league season.

"This was our first time playing this course as a par-72," Lokers said. "Any time we're under par as a team, I'm happy with that score. This is really good."

Three Hope golfers shot 2-under-par 70s: senior Will Webb (Lake Forest, Illinois / Lake Forest HS), junior Liam Casey (Northville, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) and junior Patrick Michael (Carmel, Indiana / Carmel). They tied for fifth place, two strokes off the lead.

Casey, the reigning MIAA Most Valuable Men's Golf athlete, remains the league individual leader with a three-round average of 69.67. He holds a six-stroke lead.

Freshman Will Thomas (Portage, Michigan / Portage Central) chipped in a 72.

The Flying Dutchmen also received 74s from sophomore Hank Roebuck (Ann Arbor, Michigan / Skyline) and senior Jack Guerrera (Northville, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) and 78s from senior Ben Jackson (Fort Wayne, Indiana / Carroll) and freshman Matt Mans (Northville, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central).

Hope completed the day with the second-most birdies (19) and the second-most pars (56).

The Flying Dutchmen averaged the lowest scores on par-3s (3.15) and par-4s (3.96) while tying for first on par-5s (4.75).

"We made a lot of birdies today," Lokers said. "It's always great when the whole team plays well. We haven't had that for awhile. Golf is a hard game and how often do you get that? You don't get that often. To be able to do it at home at Wuskowhan, I'm pretty proud."

Trine's Carter Schnipke and Jake Bilby posted 68s to share medalist honors for the day. The Thunder are in second place in the season standings.

Adrian College (290) took third on the day, four strokes ahead of fourth-place Calvin University. Albion College (306) placed third and was followed by Kalamazoo College (308), Alma College (309) and The University of Olivet (317).

The Flying Dutchmen next compete on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 4-5, at Wabash College Invitational at Broadmoor Country Club in Indianapolis.

The final MIAA Jamboree of the fall is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m. at Tecumseh Country Club, hosted by Adrian. The final 36 holes to determine the MIAA champion will be held next spring.