The 2011 Flying Dutch will be trying to get out of a rut in their quest to become title contenders in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). For three consecutive years the Flying Dutch have finished third both in the MIAA seasonal standings and at the league's NCAA qualifying tournament.
The 2011 Flying Dutch will be trying to get out of a rut in their quest to become title contenders in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). For three consecutive years the Flying Dutch have finished third both in the MIAA seasonal standings and at the league's NCAA qualifying tournament.
Coach Greg Stafford begins his third season with a pre-season roster that includes seven returning letterwinners. Senior co-captains are Emily Atsma of Caledonia (Grand Rapids South Christian HS) and Megan Scholten of Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids Christian HS).
Scholten is a three-time All-MIAA golfer. She received second team recognition as a sophomore and junior after being a first team honoree as a freshman. Junior Charlotte Par of Grosse Pointe Farms (Grosse Pointe South HS) was an All-MIAA golfer in 2009.
Other returning letterwinners include sophomore Mary Bradley of Pierson (Tri-County Area HS), junior Maggie Mangan of Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS), senior Andrea McCarty of Denver, Colo (Cherry Creek HS), and senior Lauren Zandstra of Flushing (Flushing HS).
Four of the returning golfers -- Emily Atsma, Chrlotte Park, Megan Scholten and Lauren Zandstra -- were named 2010-11 All-American Scholars by the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA). The Flying Dutch were also a recipient of the MIAA Team GPA Award for a tenth consecutive year.
The Flying Dutch play a fall and spring schedule. The fall schedule, which determines the seasonal MIAA champion, includes four 18-hole jamborees and a 36-hole championship round. The spring schedule, consisting of three 18-hole rounds, determines the MIAA qualifier to the NCAA championships.