By BUTCH HARMON
Like the frost showing up on pumpkins in mid October, the Greenville girls’ golf team can usually be found competing for a state championship.
That was the case again this year, as for the seventh time in the past eight years, the Greenville girls competed at the state finals.
This year the Yellow Jackets finished in 10th place overall with a score of 763.
“We have a strong tradition going on,” coach Nancy Johnson said. “As a team, they came together and were a wonderful group.”
This year’s squad was anchored by the senior trio of Britta Bernth, Jessica Bohner, and Lauryn Day. The threesome all finished the two-day state finals at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University shooting under 200. Bernth led the way by carding scores of 87 and 81 to finish at 168, ten strokes off the winning score. Bohner came in with rounds of 93 and 92, while Day shot scores of 100 and 98. Sophomores Karli Didion and Amanda Kerschen also competed at the finals for the Yellow Jackets.
“I’ve had these three seniors since they were freshmen,” Johnson said. “They were a wonderful group. They took the younger girls under their wings and prepared them for next year. I know we will have a strong team next year. We will also be bringing up some girls from the jv team next year to start a new link in our history.”
Greenville’s girls’ golf history is a rich one. Many of the players from previous teams made the trip to the finals to support this year’s squad, including Britta’s older sister Breezy and Jessi Marshall, who were members of the 2007 Greenville team that finished third at the state meet.
“I’m proud of all of them,” Johnson said. “I tell them I am part of their lives forever. Not only do I get to walk with them up the fairways during the season, but I stay a part of their lives after high school. I’ve had a great time with this group and look forward to a new group”
This year’s seniors have spent time together since before their high school careers.
“I’ve known Lauryn for a long time,” Bernth said. “We grew up together and took swimming lessons together when we were little. I’ve also known Jessica since junior high. We’ve played together in tournaments for a long time.”
Bernth and the other seniors take pride in passing down what it takes to be a Greenville golfer to the younger players.
“They’ve never been here before, so we help prepare them for this,” Bernth said. “They don’t know that if you don’t play well at regionals you don’t go to state. We had to work hard to make it to state this year, and we try to pass that work ethic on to them.”