Butch Harmon
Sports Scene
Led by a solid senior core, the Grand Ledge girls golf team is turning in a big season.
Ranked 10th in the state in Division 1, the Comets have their sights set on a strong finish to the season. Last season Grand Ledge capped an outstanding campaign by placing 12th in the state in Division 1 and this year’s team is poised to do even better.
“We’ve been having a nice year so far,” said Grand Ledge coach Jeffrey Miller. “The team has come together quite well. We are currently second in our league and second in our region.”
Being second in the league is no small feat as the No. 1 team in the state in Division 1, Okemos, sits in first place in the league.
Grand Ledge has turned in several big efforts on its way to a top-ten state ranking. The Comets placed second at the Perry, Big Rapids and Holt invitationals this season while going up against some of the top teams in the state.
Leading the way for the Comets are a trio of talented seniors led by Isabel Kelly. A returning all-state golfer who finished in the top ten individually at last year’s state finals, Kelly has posted some impressive efforts this season. One of those was a round of 71 and a second-place finish at the Capital Area Activities Conference (CAAC) Open. Kelly also won the Lady Cardinal Invitational title at Big Rapids with a score of 76.
“Isabel drives the ball well and has a really nice short game,” Miller said. “She also has that `it’ factor. When things are not going the best, she is able to really grind and never give up. She drives the ball well and putts and chips well.”
Following Kelly in the lineup is fellow senior Aubrie Parish, junior Erin McGinnis, senior Meghan Zann and sophomores Eleni Parish and Kimberly Xiong.
“We have a deep team,” Miller said. “We have one very, very excellent player in Isabel and three or four players who on any given day can shoot in the low to mid 40s. We also have an experienced team. We have three seniors, one junior and two sophomores.”
With the combination of talent and the experience that the Comets have, a strong post-season is within reach.
“All of the girls are dedicated and work hard,” Miller said. “They always do the best they can. They also like to have fun. They enjoy playing and I enjoy being around them.”
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