Montague girls golf team runs away from the competition at MSU, captures Division 4 state championship

LocalSportsJournal.com

The Montague girls golf team won the Division 4 Michigan High School Athletic Association state championship on Saturday at Forest Akers West golf course on the campus of Michigan State University.

The Wildcats ran away from the competition, finishing with a team score of 343, which was 27 shots better than runner-up Lansing Catholic, which finished with a 370.

Mackenzie Goudreau reals back to drive the ball for Montague. Photo/Latisha Mikkelsen

“They earned it,” said Montague head coach Phil Kerr about his team’s brilliant effort on Saturday. “We put this goal out there at the beginning of the season. These girls put five months into it, and I’m really proud of their hard work. I’m glad they got to see it pay off.”

Leading the Montague team was junior Orianna Bylsma, who finished fifth overall in the individual tournament standings with a score of 81. 

Bylsma started the day with a triple bogey (7) on the par 4 first hole, but rebounded with a birdie on Hole 2 to get her round back on track.

“It’s really super exciting for me,” Bylsma said. “Last year I placed in the top 25, and this year I knew who my competition would be. With a seven on the first hole, I knew I had to pull it together. I tried my best to not get down about it, because I knew I had to do something for the team.”

Following Bylsma was senior Megan Brown, who finished with a score of 84, which was good for eighth overall.

Rounding out the Montague scores were senior Katie Unger with an 88 (12^th overall), and freshman Mackenzie Goudreau and junior Gabriella Moreau, who each shot a 90 and finished tied for 16^th place.

Orianna Bylsma gets ready to sink a putt for Montague. Photo/Latisha Mikkelsen

The state title is the first for the Montague girls golf program, which just completed its fifth year of existence.

“The girls have all done it together,” said Kerr, whose team finished fourth at the state finals last year. “It’s a credit to their belief in one another. Our program is just deep, and to have all the girls finish in the top 20 is impressive.”

North Muskegon also took part in the Division 4 finals and finished 16th with a score of 429. The Norse were led by Georgette Kersman, who finished 22^nd individually with a score of 93.

In Division 3, Whitehall finished 11^th overall with a score of 371. The Vikings were led by junior Karli VanDuinen, who shot a 77 and finished seventh in the individual standings.  Whitehall Senior Kenedy Woodring finished 24^th with a score of 84.

In the Division 1 finals on Friday, Grand Haven junior Caydee Constant finished with a score of 97, which was good for 71^st place

In Division 2 action on Friday, Mona Shores finished 15^th with a team score of 405 while being led by senior Riley Trygstad, who shot a 96 and finished 53^rd in the individual standings.