Klunder, Jim (2023)

Jim Klunder was a three-sport athlete and 1984 graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School. He played for Hall of Fame coaches Ken Bokhoven (golf), Ken Zandee (basketball), and Dick VanderKamp (baseball).

In golf, Jim’s teams never lost a point in league matches.  His senior year the Eagles finished second in the 1983 State Meet.  Jim was named to the All-Conference Team his junior and senior years.  According to Coach Bokhoven, Jim was not much concerned about how his swing looked but was much more concerned about the outcome of his swing.  He realized that there were no style points or degree-of-difficulty points awarded in golf, but the reward was getting the ball in the cup with the fewest number of strokes. With the same feel and soft touch that he showed on the basketball court and with hours of practice, Jim developed an excellent short game.  Jim’s relaxed and seemingly carefree attitude on the golf course allowed him to develop into the outstanding golfer he was and still is today.

In basketball, Jim was a shooting guard. One of his favorite memories was beating East Grand Rapids to win the district championship in 1982.  He hit several clutch buckets down the stretch, as a sophomore recently pulled up from the JV team.  Jim was named to the All-Conference team his junior and senior years and was named to the All-Area team as a senior.

Jim was also a highly regarded baseball player.  He was an outfielder, part-time pitcher, and known as a clutch hitter. He was a three-year starter and two-time team captain.  He was selected team MVP his junior and senior years. He was also named to the All-Conference, All-Area, and All-State Teams his junior and senior years.  Highlights include being league champions his junior and senior years and making it to the State Semifinals in 1984.  

Jim earned his Business Administration degree from Hope College in 1988. While there, he played both basketball and baseball. On the hardcourt, Jim enjoyed league championships in his final two years, and was named to the second team All-MIAA his senior year. He scored 1,019 career points while at Hope.  As a baseball player, Jim started his final three seasons and was named to the All-MIAA Team his junior and senior years.  Jim continues to hold the Hope College highest season batting average (.471).  

Jim is a Senior Vice President/Owner of Centennial Securities.  He and his wife, Lisa (Korf) live in Grandville and have three children, Katlyn (Zach) Phillips, Sarah (Adam) Hunt, and Joe Klunder.  They have one grandson. Jim’s hobbies include golfing, fishing, and spending time with his family.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:11