In a key Big 16 Conference West Division Jamboree, the Niles golf team protected its home course and remained in the hunt for the championship.

“It was a very important match for us being at our home course and us being down four points,” Niles coach Greg Gunder said.

The Vikings cut the lead in half as they shot 167 to Mattawan’s 170. The Wildcats hold a 28-26 advantage heading into Wednesday’s jamboree at Harbor Shores.

“Mattawan and us will be duking it out on a neutral site on Wednesday. We will see what happens.”

Niles’ Chris Noble earned medalist honors as he fired an even par 35 at Orchard Hills Country Club. Brett Phillips finished with a 41, Jared Langmeyer 44, Dominic Wyland 47, Sam Clark 47 and John Schrader 49.

Over the weekend, Niles competed in the Traverse City Central Tee Off Invitational and finished fifth in Division 2-4.

The Vikings shot a two-day total of 666. East Grand Rapids won the division championship with a 644. Cranbrook Kingswood was second at 652, Grand Rapids Catholic Central third at 658 and Big Rapids fourth at 660.

“As you can see we weren’t that far out of it and we had some kids who left some big numbers out on the course,” Gunder said.

On the opening day, Niles shot 335 with Noble carding a 75. Langmeyer finished with an 84, Phillips an 86, Schrader a 90 and Clark a 99.

The second day saw the Vikings shave four strokes off their score to finish at 331. Noble shot even par 72, Phillips 83, Schrader 88, Langmeyer 88 and Clark 103.

Big 16 West Division Jamboree

At Orchard Hills

Par 35

Medalist

Chris Nobles, Niles 35

Team scores

Niles 167, Mattawan 170, Lakeshore 177, St. Joseph 178, Benton Harbor 240

Division standings

Mattawan 28, Niles 26, Lakeshore 18, St. Joseph 12, Benton Harbor 6

Individual results

Niles 167

Chris Noble 35

Brett Phillips 41

Jared Langmeyer 44

Dominic Wyland 47

Sam Clark 47

John Schrader 49