Men's Golf Repeats as MIAA Champion after Runner-Up Finish at MIAA Spring Finale

Pictured, from left, Liam Casey, Logan DeWitt, Will Webb, Will Robson, Patrick Michael, Ben Jackson, Scott Lokers

On a breezy day, the Hope College men's golf team stayed on course and walked off the 18th green at Legacy Golf Course in Adrian as MIAA champions once again.

Led by MIAA Spring Finale co-medalist Logan DeWitt, the Flying Dutchmen shot a final-round 313 on Saturday to secure a winning 108-hole, season total of 1,794 strokes.

Hope finished 35 strokes ahead of runner-up Calvin University in the eight-team standings. This was the first season the MIAA determined a team champion by playing four 18-hole rounds during the fall and two more 18-hole rounds during the spring.

The MIAA title is the Flying Dutchmen's second in a row and 23rd overall. Hope also clinched the MIAA's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Championships next month at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City, Nevada.

"We battled the elements; it was quite windy. We all came together," DeWitt said. "The new championship format was different. We had a 15-shot lead, built on it and finished it off today."

Head coach Scott Lokers expressed pride in how his team navigated a new path to repeating as MIAA champions for the first time since 2016.

"We were happy to have a lead coming into the spring. We tried to be ready to play our best golf this spring," Lokers said. "Our new practice room was really helpful this winter. We played in some tournaments a little earlier this spring trying to be at our best coming into the last few [MIAA] rounds.

"We have great student-athletes. This group is playing for each other. Everyone bought into the idea that we're doing this for the team and for each other."

DeWitt (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian HS) carded a 5-over-par 77 during the final round on the 6,895-yard course after an even-par 72 on Friday.

The business major finished at 5-over for the tournament with a 36-hole total of 149. DeWitt tied Adrian's Joe Renfer for co-medalist honors.

"Logan has been trending really well this spring," Lokers said. "He's been hitting the ball as solid as I've ever seen him. I'm not surprised he played so well as the spring went on and played really well this weekend."

Sophomore Liam Casey (Northville, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) shot a final-round 78 and placed third out of 48 golfers for the tournament at 6-over (152).

Junior Will Webb (Lake Forest, Illinois / Lake Forest) chipped in a 77 on Saturday and tied for ninth for the tournament at 12-over (156).

Junior Ben Jackson (Fort Wayne, Indiana / Carroll) shot a final-round 80 for a 36-hole total of 161 and tied for 24th place.

Sophomore Patrick Michael (Carmel, Indiana / Carmel) posted an 82 on Saturday for a tournament total of 162 and tied for 26th.

Senior Will Robson (Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) finished with an 85 for a 36-hole total of 163) and tied for 29th.

Adrian won the MIAA Spring Finale by five strokes over Hope. The Bulldogs shot a 313 team score on Saturday after a 297 on Friday.

In the season standings, Hope finished ahead of Calvin (1,829), Trine University (1,830), Adrian (1,833), Albion College (1,900), Kalamazoo College (1,928), Alma College (1,937) and The University of Olivet (2,051).

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Liam Casey: Sophomore

Logan DeWitt: Senior; Business

Ben Jackson: Junior; Chemistry and Engineering

Patrick Michael: Sophomore

Will Robson: Senior; Business

Will Webb: Junior; Communication

Players Mentioned

Liam Casey
: Sophomore

Logan DeWitt
: Senior; Business

Ben Jackson
: Junior; Chemistry and Engineering

Patrick Michael
: Sophomore

Will Robson
: Senior; Business

Will Webb
: Junior; Communication