BRIGHTON, Mich. -- Trine University has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026-27 MIAA Men’s Golf Preseason Poll after collecting 46 points and five first-place votes. Calvin University follows closely with 45 points and three first-place votes, while Hope College rounds out the top three with 37 points.
The preseason poll was determined by a vote of the MIAA’s eight head coaches and features a mix of returning All-MIAA honorees, experienced veterans, and new coaching leadership as the conference prepares for another competitive season on the course.
1. Trine University – 46 points (5 first-place votes)
Trine finished second in the MIAA last season with a team scoring average of 295.00. The Thunder return a pair of two-time All-MIAA honorees who helped anchor the lineup a year ago.
Junior Jack Besner earned First Team All-MIAA honors last season after posting a 74.00 scoring average. Classmate Jake Bilby also became a two-time All-MIAA honoree after earning Second Team recognition with a 75.33 average.
2. Calvin University – 45 points (3 first-place votes)
Calvin captured the 2026 MIAA Championship last season with a team scoring average of 294.00.
The Knights bring back senior Ethan Tiller, a two-time All-MIAA honoree who averaged 74.17 last season. Junior Ford Erickson also returns after recording a 74.80 average across five rounds
Head coach Brian Bolt, the 2026 MIAA Men’s Golf Coach of the Year, enters his 22nd season leading the Knights.
3. Hope College – 37 points
Hope earned a third-place finish last season with a team scoring average of 297.50.
Junior Will Thomas leads the group of returning golfers after becoming a two-time All-MIAA honoree with a 75.17 average last season. Sophomore Eli Voisard and junior Joey Blondia also add experience after making several appearances during their freshman seasons. Voisard posted a 74.50 average at the two-round MIAA Spring Finale, while Blondia averaged 76.60 across three rounds.
The Flying Dutch will feature new leadership this season with Caleb Nykamp taking over as head coach. A 2012 Hope graduate, Nykamp has coached at Holland Christian since 2011, including the past nine seasons as the boys varsity golf coach.
4. Adrian College – 28 points
Adrian finished fourth in the MIAA last season with a team scoring average of 309.83.
Sophomore Jack Vogel leads the Bulldogs’ returning group after posting a team-best 77.00 average across four rounds during his freshman season. Junior Carter Klawonn also enters the season as a key contributor after averaging 77.83 last year.
5. Albion College – 26 points
Albion placed fifth last season with a team scoring average of 310.00.
Sophomore Charlie Dierkes headlines the returning group after leading the Britons with a 75.33 average during his freshman campaign. Senior Camden Paul also provides veteran experience after posting a 78.17 scoring average last season.
6. Kalamazoo College – 21 points
Kalamazoo finished sixth last season with a team scoring average of 313.83.
Sophomore Gurnav Jeet Singh Bhatia led the Hornets during his freshman season with a 76.20 average and will look to build on that performance in his second collegiate campaign. Sophomore Jack Hackwell also returns after averaging 78.17 last season.
7. Alma College – 13 points
Alma landed in seventh last season with a 316.00 team scoring average.
Junior Jaden Ducharme highlights the Scots’ returning group after earning Second Team All-MIAA honors with a 76.17 average. Graduate student Andrew Skellenger also returns as a top scorer after averaging 78.50 last season.
8. The University of Olivet – 8 points
Olivet finished eighth last season with a team scoring average of 327.67.
Junior Bradon Ellis leads the returning group after posting a team-best 81.17 average. Senior Noah LaValley also returns after finishing just behind Ellis with an 82.00 scoring average last season.
Up Ahead
The MIAA men’s golf regular season begins with Jamboree No. 1, hosted by Trine University at Zollner Golf Course on Tuesday, September 29. The 2027 NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championship is scheduled for May 18-21 at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia.