Reeths-Puffer junior Sophia McCollum delivered a statement about what she's capable of Tuesday and Wednesday at the Lober Classic in Traverse City, earning medalist honors with a two-day score of 153.
McCollum shot a 74 on day one of the event and a 79 on day two to secure top honors by four strokes over Brighton's Kaila Oprisiu. She made five birdies over the two days and impressively made par or better on 15 of her 18 holes played Tuesday.
Her work was part of a terrific performance for both the Rockets and Montague at the meet. The Wildcats earned fourth place with an impressive two-day team score of 768, while R-P was fifth with a 793.
"It was a huge step forward against some great competition from around the state," read a Facebook post by the Wildcats' team.
As for McCollum, coach Matt Pallett was impressed with the junior's first big individual tournament win.
"Sophia played an incredible two rounds of golf," Pallett said. "She was very solid from tee to green. She has shown that she has really grown in her mental toughness. She has not let a bad hole or bad shot derail her like it might have in the past. Almost every time she had a bad shot or bad hole she answered right back with a good shot or good hole."
Montague's Cadence Fox was very good in her own right, shooting an 80 - a varsity personal best - on day two Wednesday to cap a two-day score of 173. She finished 13th overall.
Also for the Wildcats, Molly Mulder played well, shooting a 97 and a 95 in the meet. Addi Smith tied her personal best score of 96 Wednesday to finish with a two-day 197. Brynlee Kessler rounded out team scoring with a two-day 206.
Olivia Ambler scored a two-day 193 for the Rockets, and Ella Voorhies had a 209. Ava Gibbs shot a 240. over the two days.
“(This is) the best that the team has done in the three years that I have been bringing them here," Pallett said. "It was great seeing the team earn medals. The best part is that we have a lot of potential with this group and I know the girls will work hard to reach it."
Whitehall also played in the meet, but only on day two. The Vikings' 424 was good for 11th out of the 19 teams to compete Wednesday. Riley Shafer led Whitehall with a 93. Kelsie McClure shot a 106, Morgan Garcia added a 109 and Avarie Bentz posted a 116.
McCollum shot a 74 on day one of the event and a 79 on day two to secure top honors by four strokes over Brighton's Kaila Oprisiu. She made five birdies over the two days and impressively made par or better on 15 of her 18 holes played Tuesday.
Her work was part of a terrific performance for both the Rockets and Montague at the meet. The Wildcats earned fourth place with an impressive two-day team score of 768, while R-P was fifth with a 793.
"It was a huge step forward against some great competition from around the state," read a Facebook post by the Wildcats' team.
As for McCollum, coach Matt Pallett was impressed with the junior's first big individual tournament win.
"Sophia played an incredible two rounds of golf," Pallett said. "She was very solid from tee to green. She has shown that she has really grown in her mental toughness. She has not let a bad hole or bad shot derail her like it might have in the past. Almost every time she had a bad shot or bad hole she answered right back with a good shot or good hole."
Montague's Cadence Fox was very good in her own right, shooting an 80 - a varsity personal best - on day two Wednesday to cap a two-day score of 173. She finished 13th overall.
Also for the Wildcats, Molly Mulder played well, shooting a 97 and a 95 in the meet. Addi Smith tied her personal best score of 96 Wednesday to finish with a two-day 197. Brynlee Kessler rounded out team scoring with a two-day 206.
Olivia Ambler scored a two-day 193 for the Rockets, and Ella Voorhies had a 209. Ava Gibbs shot a 240. over the two days.
“(This is) the best that the team has done in the three years that I have been bringing them here," Pallett said. "It was great seeing the team earn medals. The best part is that we have a lot of potential with this group and I know the girls will work hard to reach it."
Whitehall also played in the meet, but only on day two. The Vikings' 424 was good for 11th out of the 19 teams to compete Wednesday. Riley Shafer led Whitehall with a 93. Kelsie McClure shot a 106, Morgan Garcia added a 109 and Avarie Bentz posted a 116.
