By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Niles varsity golf team finished second on Thursday at the Gull Lake Invitational held at Bedford Valley near Battle Creek.
The Vikings shot 322 to finish one stroke behind champion Battle Creek Lakeview.
Kalamazoo Christian was third with a 324 and Big 16 Conference West Division foe St. Joseph was fourth, also with a 324. Taking fifth was Kalamazoo Hackett.
Lakeview's Matt Thompson shot even par 72 to win medalist honors.
The Vikings were led by Alex Welch and David Neumann, both of whom shot 78.
Chris Noble and Brett Phillips finished with scores of 81 and 85 respectively, while Jeff Jurgonski finished with an 87.
Niles will be looking to lock up the West Division championship on Monday as it plays in the final jamboree at Lake Michigan Hills. The event is being hosted by Benton Harbor.
The Vikings currently hold a two point lead over St. Joseph (36-34). Gull Lake Invitational
At Bedford Valley
Team Scores
Battle Creek Lakeview (No. 1) 321, Niles 322, Kalamazoo Christian 324, St. Joseph 324, Kalamazoo Hackett 325, Battle Creek Lakeview (No. 2) 325, Portage Northern 327, Marshall 332, Mattawan 333, Vicksburg 337, Wayland Union 340, Gull Lake (No. 1) 340, South Haven 342, Gobles 345, Olivet 351, Parchment 352, Gull Lake (No. 2) 363, Lakeshore 365, Climax-Scott 383, Plainwell 384, Shelby 385, Battle Creek Central 392
Individual Scores
Niles 322
Alex Welch 78, David Neumann 78, Chris Noble 81, Brett Phillips 85, Jeff Jurgonski 87