Men's Golf Head Coach Scott Lokers to Retire after Spring Season

He has led the Flying Dutchmen for nine seasons

Hope College's men's golf coach Scott Lokers, a two-time MIAA Coach of the Year, has decided to retire following the 2026 spring season.

Lokers, also a four-time MIAA champion, served as head coach for nine seasons and has been involved with Hope's program for 14 seasons.

"I have loved being the men's golf coach at Hope College. I love the student-athletes on our team — past and present, I love Hope College, and I love golf. Put that all together, and this position has been incredibly fun and rewarding," Lokers said. "The timing of my decision to retire has nothing to do with diminished passion for Hope Golf and everything to do with wanting to focus more time and energy on our family. I will continue to cheer on this team with great enthusiasm."

Lokers has helped the men's golf team fulfill the Hope Athletics mission of academic success, competitive excellence, and transformational experiences in nine full seasons leading the Flying Dutchmen on the links, Director of Athletics Tim Schoonveld said.

"We are so grateful for all that Scott has done for our men's golf program. He has been a rock for the program and leaves a legacy of impact, excellence and care for the athletes on his team," Schoonveld said. "Scott has a really unique ability to connect with student athletes and get tangible results of excellence, as evidenced by his record. He has carried on the tradition of Hope College Men's golf and enhanced it during his tenure. I will miss his friendship and wisdom, but I am excited for the next chapter for him and Susan. We look forward to carrying on his legacy as we search for the next head coach of the program."

The search for a successor will begin immediately, Schoonveld said.

Success on the Links

Lokers became Hope's 12th men's golf coach before the 2017-18 season after serving as an assistant with head coach Bob Ebels for five seasons.

"There are so many amazing experiences I've had in this role because of the student-athletes we have had on our team and the fact that Hope College draws incredible people," Lokers said. "I have many memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to be involved in the lives of outstanding young men in this way. I am also grateful for so many people who have made it possible for me to carry out this role with great joy — student-athletes, parents, administrators, staff, and fellow coaches."

During his tenure, Lokers led the Flying Dutchmen to six trips to the NCAA Division III Championships and two Top-10 finishes (sixth in 2018 and eighth in 2019). The sixth-place finish equaled the program's highest finish at nationals. Hope is seeking to qualify for nationals for a fifth consecutive season this spring.

In MIAA play, Lokers guided the Flying Dutchmen to four regular-season championships (2024-25, 2023-24, 2023, 2018) and three first-place finishes in MIAA Tournaments (2023, 2022, 2018). Lokers was voted as the MIAA Men's Golf Coach of the Year by his peers in 2024 and 2025.

Lokers coached two-time Jack Nicklaus Award recipient Josh Gibson, who received the NCAA Division III Men's Golf of the Year honor in back-to-back seasons (2017 and 2018).

As Hope's head coach, Lokers mentored seven Golf Coaches Association of America all-region selections, three MIAA Most Valuable Men's Golfers, 17 All-MIAA First Team recipients, and nine All-MIAA Second Team honorees.

The Flying Dutchmen earned success in the classroom, too, claiming the MIAA Team GPA Award six times and 28 MIAA Academic Honor Roll recipients heading into the 2024-25 season.

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