The Hope College women's golf team has claimed the MIAA's automatic bid to the 2016 NCAA Division III National Championships after winning the 54-hole qualifying tournament.

The Flying Dutch entered today's final round at The Ravines Golf Club in Saugatuck with a 34 stroke lead over Saint Mary's. The Belles edged Hope by five strokes in today's round, 320-325, but it was not enough to prevent the Flying Dutch from making its second straight trip to the national championships.

Hope finished the 54-hole playoff with a 962 total. Saint Mary's was second at 991, followed by Olivet (1,029) and Trine (1,038). Taylor Kehoe from Saint Mary's was the medalist in today's final round with a 75. Nicole Meyer was the Flying Dutch's top golfer with a 78.

The 2016 NCAA DIII National Women's Golf Championships will be held May 10-13 at the Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas. Mary-Hardin Baylor University and the Harris County-Houston Sports Commission are serving as the hosts.