By Jason Goorman
LocalSportsJournal.com

TWIN LAKE – How well did the Mona Shores girls golf team shoot on Wednesday at the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association City Tournament?

The Sailors had six golfers in the top 10, and only the top four scores on each team count.lsj-fb-logo

That performance was more than enough to help the Sailors capture the tournament title at Stonegate Golf Club with a score of 378, followed by North Muskegon (389), Reeths-Puffer (398), Fruitport (463), Whitehall (472) and Western Michigan Christian (517).

Reeths-Puffer's Korina VanDuinen puts on No. 2 during the GMAA city golf tournament. Photo/Jason Goorman

Reeths-Puffer’s Karina VanDuinen putts on No. 2 during the GMAA city golf tournament. Photo/Jason Goorman

Andrea Majeski was the top golfer for Mona Shores, which won its ninth straight city title. She finished third overall with a 90, followed by teammates Darian Smith (93, fourth place), Maddie Sewick (97, seventh place) and Kennedy Potts (98, tied for eighth).

Maddie Burda and Kendall McKinley, whose scores did not count, both shot 99’s for the Sailors.

“Winning any tournament that includes teams from the Greater Muskegon area is a big deal,” said first-year Mona Shores Coach Mike Phillips. “Most of the girls know each other from summer tournaments, local events or conference meets. I think that’s what makes this tournament special. It’s about cross-town bragging rights.

“I’m just real happy for our girls and their parents who have been so supportive all season. It’s a great team win.”

While Mona Shores, a team comprised largely of varsity veterans, cruised to the team title, a newcomer took top individual honors.

Reeths-Puffer freshman Karina VanDuinen overcame a shaky start to shoot an 85 and take first place in the tournament.

VanDuinen shot a 44 on the front nine and started the back nine with a double and a triple bogie before finding her winning stroke.

“I kind of stopped worrying about my score, and as shots came close and putts started to fall, I just kind of changed a little bit from being mad at myself to getting back in it,” VanDuinen said.

North Muskegon's Lauren Bliss watches her tee shot from No. 2. Photo/Jason Goorman

North Muskegon’s Lauren Bliss watches her tee shot from No. 2. Photo/Jason Goorman

“Pressure doesn’t get to me, I’m all about playing. I don’t let it get to me because I am not worried about anyone beating me up too bad. Unless I’m playing someone really good, they will have to beat me.”

North Muskegon’s Lauren Bliss finished second with an 86 and just missed forcing a playoff with VanDuinen. Reeths-Puffer’s Avery Howard (95) finished fifth, Whitehall’s Taylor Mikkelson (97) took sixth and North Muskegon’s Abby Grevel (98) finished eighth.