By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The St. Joseph varsity golf team protected its home course on Monday and made up a little ground on Big 16 Conference West Division leader Niles in the process.
The Bears won the latest West Division jamboree with a team score of 157, two shots better than the Vikings, who finished with a 159.
Mattawan took third with a 161, while Lakeshore was fourth and Benton Harbor fifth with scores of 162 and 260 respectively.
Niles' Brett Phillips earned medalist honors as he paced the Vikings with a round of 37.
Alex Welch shot 39, while Jeff Jurgonski shot 41 and David Neumann 42.
Chris Noble and Sam Hatch finished at 44 and 45 at Blossom Trails in Benton Harbor.
The Vikings currently are two points ahead of the Bears with one jamboree remaining.
Niles has 36 points, while St. Joseph has 34 points. Mattawan is third with 22 points and Lakeshore fourth with 20 points. Benton Harbor is fifth with six points.
The Tigers will host the final jamboree on Monday, May 12 at Lake Michigan Hills.
Big 16 Conference
West Division Jamboree
At Blossom Trails
Team Scores
St. Joseph 157, Niles 159, Mattawan 161, Lakeshore 162, Benton Harbor 260
Division Standings
Niles 36, St. Joseph 34, Mattawan 22, Lakeshore 20, Benton Harbor 6
Individual Scores
Niles 159
Brett Phillips 37 (medalist); Alex Welch 39; Jeff Jurgonski 41; David Neumann 42; Chris Noble 44; Sam Hatch 45