Reeths-Puffer came up just short of its team goal of qualifying for
the state finals at Tuesday's Division 2 regional meet at its home
course of Lincoln Golf Club. However, for two Rocket individuals -
Sophia McCollum and Olivia Ambler - the season will continue at the
state meet.
McCollum enjoyed another excellent round and
earned regional medalist honors with a round of 78 that included a pair
of birdies. McCollum was a model of consistency during the round, doing
worse than a bogey on only one hole and shooting a 39 on each half of
the course. She went to a playoff with Forest Hills Northern's Charlie
Payne to determine the regional medalist and won it by birdieing the
first playoff hole with a 15-foot putt.
“Sophia had another great day," R-P coach Matt Pallett said. "She was great from tee to green. She
struggled with her putter a little bit, but made some great putts down
the stretch and on the first playoff hole when she needed to.”
Ambler
eked out the third and last individual qualifying spot for state,
roaring back from a rough start - she was 12 over par after nine holes -
with a 40 on the back nine to end with an 88, which placed her sixth
overall. She edged out two Northview players by one stroke to reach
state.
“I am so happy for Olivia Ambler," Pallett said. "She has worked really hard to put
herself in this position. Even when a little self-doubt creeped in early
in her round, she was able to find a way to persevere to get to the state finals.”
Unfortunately,
the team didn't have quite enough success to qualify together, posting a
score of 385 - just two strokes shy of the final team qualifying spot.
The Rockets were fifth, with Greenville edging Northview by tiebreaker
to claim the third position at 383.
Ella Voorhies shot a
career-best score of 91, making a birdie along the way after narrowly
missing a hole-in-one on the par-3 11th hole. Keeley Cole rounded out
team scoring with a 128, and Ava Gibbs shot a 129. Cole and Gibbs are
the only two players in Tuesday's round who will graduate next spring.
“Regionals
is a gut-wrenching and emotional day," Pallett said. "I am sad for my
team
today. We had a great shot of making it to the state finals as a team
,but just could not get it over the finish line. I am very proud of them
and love them all.”
