LocalSportsJournal.com

CEDAR SPRINGS – The Spring Lake Lakers are heading to the Division 2 state golf finals after a strong day on the golf course on Tuesday.

The Lakers, led by Zoe Dull, captured third place in the team event with a score of 368. Forest Hills Northern was the regional champion with a 352 and Lowell was second with a 362. Reeths-Puffer finished fifth at 379 and Mona Shores finished seventh at 389.

The state finals are Oct. 18-19 at The Meadows on the campus of Grand Valley State University.

“Regionals is always a tough day,” said Reeths-Puffer coach Matt Pallett. “We played a tough course today against really good competition. I am proud of the team. The team played well, but it just wasn’t enough to qualify for the state finals as a team.” 

Not only are the Lakers going to state, but Mona Shores senior Mayson Southland, who shot an 82, and Reeths-Puffer sophomore Sophia McCollum qualified as individuals. McCollum was tied with teammate Rowan Bluhm and earned the final spot on the first playoff hole.

Dull shot a 78 and finished second. Other Laker golfers included Reagan Bennett with a 93, Finlay Cousineau with a 95, Casey Ireland with a 102 and Ellie Cavalier shot a 107.

McCollum and Bluhm both shot an 85 for the Rockets. Olivia Ambler shots a 103 with new clubs she started using in the last week. Ella Voorhies shot a 106 and Emma Dvorak had a 135.

“We got to see the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat today,” Pallett said. “For Rowan and Sophia to have to play against each other for the final individual qualifying spot was absolutely brutal. It was the toughest coaching moment in my 29 years of coaching sports. I am very proud of both of them.”

Southland paced the Sailors with an 82. Other Mona Shores golfers included Raelyn Tyler with a 100, Avery Nehra at 101, Lainee Carmean had a 106 and Kiele Buckner shot a 115.

“Congrats to Mayson Southland from Mona Shores for finishing third overall and qualifying as an individual,” said Pallett. “She is a wonderful young lady from a great family.”