2024-25 Men's Golf Season Preview

The Hope College men's golf team is bringing experience and team camaraderie to the course.

The Flying Dutchmen will rely on a veteran core as they pursue a third consecutive MIAA regular-season championship and a return trip to the NCAA Division III Championships.

Head coach Scott Lokers is excited to see his team compete on the links after finishing 24th in the nation last season.

"I love this team," Lokers said. "We have a lot of upperclassmen: three seniors and three juniors. We've not had that for a long time. I'm appreciating the player leadership involved with this team. They want to be successful. They want to succeed together. That is rewarding for me."

Junior Liam Casey (Northville, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central HS) leads the Flying Dutchmen as the reigning MIAA Most Valuable Golfer.

Lokers expects Casey and his teammates will use the knowledge they have gained to help them this season.

"On one hand, golf is a challenging sport and we never take anything for granted," Lokers said. "On the other hand, these players know what to expect. They've been there before. They enjoy the process. We're embracing all that and everything in front of us."

Coaching Staff

Head coach: Scott Lokers, eighth season

Lokers was named MIAA Men's Golf Coach of the Year last season. He has led Hope to four MIAA regular-season championships and three MIAA Tournament titles.

2024 Roster

The Flying Dutchmen's roster of 10 features three seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen.

Hope returns two of its four All-MIAA selections from last season: Casey as a first-teamer and senior Will Webb (Lake Forest, Illinois / Lake Forest) as a second-teamer.

Casey claimed MIAA Most Valuable Men's Golfer honors for the first time by averaging a league-best 74.5 strokes over six rounds. He finished one stroke ahead of three other MIAA golfers.

Webb posted a 75.33 average during league tournaments.

Seniors Jack Guerrera (Northville, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) and Ben Jackson (Fort Wayne, Indiana / Carroll) both could contribute. Jackson golfed at the NCAA Championships.

Casey, Jackson and Webb are co-captains.

2024 Schedule

The Flying Dutchmen are scheduled to tee off in seven events this fall, beginning with the 36-hole, one-day Aurora University Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The tournament begins at 7:45 a.m. Central at Aurora Country Club in Aurora, Illinois.

Hope is slated to enter two other non-league tournaments: the 36-hole Midwest Region Classic on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 20-21, at Brighton Dale Golf Links in Kansasville, Wisconsin, and the 36-hole Wabash College (Indiana) Invitational on Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 7-8, at Broadmoor Country Club in Indianapolis.

"Aurora is always a great event; that's a fun tournament," Lokers said. "The Wabash tournament is going to be an outstanding field. We're really excited to get the opportunity to play in that tournament."

Hope will compete in four 18-hole MIAA Jamborees. The MIAA champion will be crowned next spring when the final two rounds of 108 holes of play are completed.

"The first priority is always the MIAA," Lokers said. "We want to play the best we can, so we can win those jamborees."

The Flying Dutchmen will host one of the fall jamborees on Monday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. at Wuskowhan Players Club.

"Wushowkan is always a pleasure to play," Lokers said. "The other league teams love to come up and be a part of it. For our seniors to be able to host a league event at Wuskowhan is special."

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Players Mentioned

Liam Casey: Junior; Businnes

Jack Guerrera: Senior; Accounting, Public Accounting

Ben Jackson: Senior; Chemistry and Engineering

Will Webb: Senior; Communication

Players Mentioned

Liam Casey
: Junior; Businnes

Jack Guerrera
: Senior; Accounting, Public Accounting

Ben Jackson
: Senior; Chemistry and Engineering

Will Webb
: Senior; Communication