Grand Valley State, Coble Win 2023 Folds of Honor Challenge

ALLENDALE, Mich. - Grand Valley State (team) and Drew Coble (individual, Grand Valley State) were named champions of the 2023 Folds of Honor Challenge on Monday after final-round play was canceled due to heavy rain. Play began with a shotgun start at 8:30 AM EST, and the most anyone got through was two holes before play was suspended. After nearly five hours of waiting it out, it was determined that, as the 36-hole leaders, the Lakers and Coble were named champions.

With the victory, Grand Valley State will receive an invitation to compete in the 2024 Folds of Honor Collegiate held at American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven, Mich., and televised nationally on Golf Channel.

“There have been a lot of changes over the last three weeks with our head coach and reigning Division II national player of the year moving on, but I’m really proud of them for the way they’re moving forward and sticking to their game,” said interim head coach Steve Milewski. “We had the early lead in Round 1 and made some bogeys at the end to fall behind Wayne State, but as we started the second round, our players had the idea that they needed to play smart, aggressive golf and go after some birdies. They did that and played a really good second round.”

Coble mentioned another factor that guided the Lakers these last two days at The Meadows.

“We struggled last week (at the 2023 Folds of Honor Collegiate) and came in really motivated to get back and show that that wasn’t us,” Coble said. “Winning at your home course is really special. We play here every day and know the course so well, so to see everything go into that means a lot.” 

Milewski on what receiving the Folds of Honor Collegiate exemption means to the Lakers:

“It’s unbelievable for our program. The Folds of Honor Collegiate is one of the best events in all of college golf, and to be able to play in that event and for our players to experience it is very special. Jack Nicklaus, Folds of Honor, Golf Channel, American Dunes, all that the Golf Coaches Association of America does to make it a great event, everything that we were able to experience is unbelievable and gives us exposure for our program. We got some TV time on Golf Channel last week, so a lot of people asked about Grand Valley State, what we’re about and where we’re at. As interim coach, that was my one goal, and I’m so happy that they’re going to be able to experience that again.”

Aurora (NCAA Division III), Indian Hills (NJCAA Division I), Lawrence Tech (NAIA), and Mississippi Gulf Coast (NJCAA Division II) were the highest finishers in their respective divisions. Final team results and the top five individual finishes can be found below, and the remaining final individual results can be found on Golfstat at THIS LINK.    

Final Team Results

1. Grand Valley State - 569 (+1, 287-282)
2. Wayne State - 574 (+6, 280-294)
3. Aurora - 581 (+13, 293-288)
4. Indian Hills - 582 (+14, 301-281)
5. Illinois Wesleyan - 585 (+17, 297-288)
6. UT Permian Basin - 586 (+18, 293-293)
7. (T-7) Lee - 591 (+23, 298-293)
8. (T-7) Lawrence Tech - 591 (+23, 294-297)
9. Findlay - 594 (+26, 300-294)
10. Indianapolis - 595 (+27, 317-278)
11. Mississippi Gulf Coast - 600 (+32, 299-301)
12. Davis & Elkins - 604 (+36, 301-303)
13. Otterbein - 620 (+52, 308-312)
14. Fayetteville State - 624 (+56, 303-321)
15. Grand Rapids CC - 655 (+87, 329-326)

Top 5 Final Individual Results  

1. Drew Coble (GVSU) - 137 (-5, 70-67)
2. Jose Miguel Ramirez (IHCC) - 140 (-2, 74-66)
3. (T-3) Sangha Park (UTPB) - 141 (-1, 71-70)
4. (T-3) Nico Tucker (Aurora) - 141 (-1, 71-70)
5. Ian Smith (WSU) - 142 (E, 72-70)

About Folds of Honor

Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Beginning in 2022, it expanded its mission to include first responders. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded about 44,000 scholarships totaling about $200 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 41 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on GuideStar. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.

About Golf Coaches Association of America

Established in 1958, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) is the professional organization of men's collegiate golf coaches. The GCAA's mission is to support its member coaches from six divisions, including the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA, by creating educational opportunities, providing resources, and promoting its members with the purpose of enhancing their overall performance as coaches, mentors, and teachers. The GCAA also recognizes the excellence and achievements of its members and their student-athletes in academic, athletic, and civic endeavors. For more information about the GCAA, please visit www.collegiategolf.com. 

About The Meadows at Grand Valley State University

The Meadows has been the host of nine NCAA National Championships including the NCAA Division II Women's National Championships in 1996, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2011, and 2015, as well as NCAA Division II Men's National Championship in 2001, 2007, and 2014. Playing at 7,060 yards from the tips with a course/slope rating of 74.2/133, this links-style wonderland has a rotation of holes that will throw a little bit of everything at you. Wetlands and well-bunkered greens make clear thinking a priority. Please visit www.gvsu.edu/meadows for more information.