By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
ST. JOSEPH - The Big 16 Conference West Division opened up play on Tuesday at The Oaks.
The host Bears came away a three-shot winner against Dowagiac, Niles, Lakeshore and Benton Harbor.
St. Joseph shot 160 on its home course to edge Niles and Lakeshore, who tied for second at 163. Dowagiac was fourth with a 183.
Benton Harbor had just three golfers, so it did not have a team score.
Lakeshore's Wright shot 37 to earn medalist honors.
Josh Yeske and Brandon Mack both shot 38 for the Bears in the first of five jamborees.
Niles' Ben Landgraf and Alex Welch both carded 39s to lead the Vikings, who split second place points with Lakeshore.
The Vikings also got a pair of 45s from Scott Majerek and Jeff Jurgonski, while D.J. Walnick shot 47.
David Maxey led Dowagiac with a 43. Ken Scott shot 46 for the Chieftains, who also got a pair of 47s from Scott Wilkinson and Adam Carlson, and a pair of 49s from Nick Krizinski and Jared Schinski.
St. Joseph leads the overall standings with 10 points, while Niles and Lakeshore are tied for second with seven points. Dowagiac is fourth with four points and Benton Harbor fifth with two.
Niles heads to the Gull Lake Invitational today for its seventh match in 10 days.