By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
EAST LANSING—Prior to last season, the Otsego girls golf team had never won a regional championship.
Now the Bulldogs have captured back-to-back regional titles
Participating in the Division 3 regional at Michigan State University’s Forest Akers East on Thursday, Oct. 9, Otsego rolled to the top spot in the team standings with an 18-hole score of 356.
Runner-up Battle Creek Harper Creek was 21 strokes behind at 377. Charlotte secured the third and final state-qualifying berth with its score of 378.
Second-year Otsego coach Michael Miller couldn’t have been happier for his golfers and the program.
“This means a lot to me and to the team,” he said. “To do it two years in a row shows that it wasn’t an accident or luck.
“Golf is already a tough sport, and coming into regionals as the favorite each year adds even more pressure. To not only back it up, but to win by double digits again is an impressive accomplishment.”
Otsego won the regional title by 30 strokes last year.
Annika Quakenbush led the way for the Bulldogs this year, carding an 82 to finish runner-up in the individual standings. Two teammates joined her in the top 10, while all four of Otsego’s scoring golfers placed in the top 12.
Allissa Holmes was fourth with an 86, Avery Selent was eighth with a 83 and Malania Miller was 12th with a 95.
Madden Fitzpatrick also competed for the Bulldogs and placed 30th with a 105.
“The keys to our success were the girls’ work ethic this summer and the strength of our schedule,” Coach Miller said. “Competing against a strong Plainwell team all year in the Wolverine Conference pushed us to improve.
“We also played challenging courses like Island Hills, Katke, Lynx and American Dunes, which helped the girls develop their skills. Their experience at last year’s state finals and on those tougher courses allowed them to stay relaxed and play confident golf this season.”
The Division 3 State Finals begin on Friday, Oct. 17, at MSU’s Forest Akers West.
“Heading into the state tournament, we truly feel like we can compete for a top spot in Division 3,” Coach Miller said. “We have four returning players with State Finals experience who have faced courses similar to Forest Akers West.
“The girls are hungry, focused and eager to prove they’re one of the best teams in Michigan.”
Plainwell places fourth in D2 regional
In a Division 2 regional at Island Hills Golf Course in Centreville on Wednesday, Oct. 8, Plainwell missed qualifying for the State Finals by one place.
The Trojans placed fourth with a 368 to finish behind third-ranked Forest Hills Central (340), fourth-ranked Lowell (348) and eighth-ranked St. Joseph (356).
Seventh-ranked Gull Lake was also included in the field, finishing fifth at 377.
Despite falling short of qualifying for the Finals as a team, the Trojans will be represented when the State Finals begin at Bedford Valley in Battle Creek on Friday, Oct. 17.
That’s because Alya Jaeger shot a 76 to earn medalist honors and give her one of three individual berths to the Finals.
Emma Rayman (17th at 93), Sam Labonte (26th at 99) and Harper Johnson (28th at 100) also scored for the Trojans.
