Rockford made a rare appearance at the Division 1 girls’ golf state finals the weekend of October 19-20, and Rams’ coach Scott Kruisenga enjoyed every second of it, despite his team placing last in the 15-team field.
Plymouth won the Division 1 tournament at Michigan State University’s Forest Akers East Golf Course by shooting 18-hole totals of 331 and 328. Rockford was 15th at 401 and 369 for 770.
It’s only the third time in school history that Rockford has made it to the state finals. The other appearances were in 1978 and 2007. This season, Rockford was second in the O-K Red.
Individually for the Rams, Tori Sobkowik had the best score, 184, following rounds of 100 and 84. Aimee Hite was second at 94 and 97 for 191, Halle Dymowski shot 100 and 97 for 197, Abbi Anthony shot 107 and 94 for 201, and Kayla McFadden shot 112 and 94 for 206.
Holt finished 13th at 761. Pader Her shot 77 and 75 for 152 total, followed by Katie Harmer with 198, Jenna Whitson with 198, and Alexxis VanPelt with 216.
Okemos had a strong third-place finish in the two-day Division 2 tournament conducted at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University. Mona Shores scored 341 and 325, and Okemos carded scores of 358 and 351. East Lansing was eighth at 373 and 370 for 743 total, and Greenville was 10th at 763 with scores of 382 and 381.
Elle Nichols had solid rounds for Okemos, scoring 81 and 77 for 158 total. Katy Hollis carded scores of 91 and 91 for 182, followed by Sydney Williams with 94 and 91 for 185. Jessica Kim had a 93 as the No. 5 player the first day, and Marie Lazar had 93 and 95 for 188.
For East Lansing, Kristyn Crippen shot 82 and 76 for 158, followed by Marie Fata with 99 and 93 for 192, Molly Ring with 95 and 98 for 193, Claire Fossum with 101 and 103 for 204, and Amber Leyrer with 97 and 110 for 207.
Greenville finished with 382 and 381 for 763 total. Britta Bernth led the team with scores of 87 and 81 for 168. Jessica Bohner had 93 and 92 for 185, Lauryn Day 100 and 98 for 198, Karli Didion 102 and 117 for 219, and Amanda Kerschen 114 and 110 for 224.
The Division 3 finals were held at Bedford Valley Golf Course in Battle Creek. Lakewood came in 10th, scoring 393 and 380 for 773. Big Rapids was 13th at 427 and 412 for 839, and Cedar Springs was 15th at 457 and 429 for 886.
Emily Barker carded 92 and 89 for 181 to lead Lakewood, followed by Olivia Barker with 96 and 96 for 192, Victoria Hager at 103 and 97 for 200, Kennedy Hilley at 102 and 100 for 202, and Bryonna Barton at 110 and 98 for 208.
Elizabeth Hosking led Big Rapids with 103 and 96 for 199, while Molly Schofield was at 110 and 101 for 211, Haley McKenna and Alexis Dawkins at 106 and 106 for 212, Melanie Weis at 108 and 109 for 217, and Andrea Cassidy at 113 and 124 for 237.
Cedar Springs was led by Conner White at 108 and 100 for 208, Bre White at 108 and 104 for 212, Marisa Morales at 119 and 103 for 222, Jessica Ingerson at 122 and 122 for 244, and Chelsa Hull at 123 and 129 for 252.
Taylor Kral of Tri County qualified as an individual and shot 91 and 92 for 183.
In Division 4, Lansing Catholic won with 685. Freeland was seventh at 431 and 411 for 842, while Frankenmuth was ninth at 416 and 435 for 851. Farwell, with only three players, didn’t qualify for a score.
Tara Padgett had 105 and 97 for 202 to lead Freeland, followed by Katie Morrissey at 98 and 108 for 206, Janna Brown at 113 and 99 for 212, Mollie Daly at 119 and 107 for 226, and Tori Argyle at 115 and 120 for 235.
Kaitlyn Watkins shot 77 and 85 for 162 to lead Frankenmuth, while Shayna Schenider had 101 and 106 for 207, and Abby Vaughn a 123 and a 120 for 243. For Farwell, Bria Colosky shot 88 and 88 for 176, and Sammie Baldwin shot 110 and 106 for 216. Shubba Vedula played individually for Sacred Heart Academy and shot 107 and 128 for 235.
A new feature at the state finals was allowing coaches to confer with their players on the course except for on the greens.
I like the rule change,” said Lakewood’s Carl Kutch. “I have seen only positive results from it this season. It is particularly helpful when reviewing rules options such as an unplayable lie or talking briefly about a trouble shot situation. I think it actually speeds up play and it helps kids learn better course management.