Photo by Travis Pendergrass, Envision Sports Media

Hope College women’s golf coach Greg Stafford said he could not have been prouder of his players this week at their first NCAA Division III Championships appearance.

The Flying Dutch survived hot and humid conditions and a challenging course to finish 11th out of 21 teams

Hope concluded its play at Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort in Howie-in-the-Hills, Florida, with a final-round total of 333 for a 72-hole score of 1,340. The Flying Dutch finished two strokes out of 10 place.

“It was a wonderful experience,” Stafford said. “I thought if we played well we could get in the top 10. We were two strokes short. I’m proud of all of them.

“The conditions we played in were brutal for Northern teams. We were playing in 90-degree, humid temperature. For us to shoot 338, 338, 331 and 333 on a very difficult course was very gratifying.”

Freshman Megan Klintworth of Jackson, Michigan (Hanover-Horton HS), shot an 8-over-par 80 on Friday to lead the Flying Dutch. She tied for 30th individually at plus-40.

Sophomore Britni Gielow of Norton Shores, Michigan (Mona Shores HS), and freshman Nicole Meyer of Brighton, Michigan (Brighton HS), tied for 42nd individually. Gielow carded a final-round 81, while Meyer had an 84.

Junior Montana Leep of Hastings, Michigan (Grand Rapids South Christian HS), totaled an 88 on Friday to tie for 61st overall. 

Junior Morgan Leep of Hastings, Michigan (South Christian HS), tied for 72nd after a final-round 103.