Reeths-Puffer’s Sophia McCollum is having a junior season to remember.
The Rocket golf standout blew away the competition on Tuesday, winning the individual championship at the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association Tournament at Chase Hammond Golf Course by a whopping 10 strokes,
McCollum won the GMAA individual title for the second straight year and posted her sixth first place finish of the season, right on the heels of winning the title at last Friday’s Lady Rocket Invitational.
Sophia McCollum, who won her second straight GMAA title. Photo/Joe Lane
She shot an 18-hole score of 71, while her nearest competitor, Mona Shores’ Avery Nehra, shot an 81.
The champion posted five birdies, including two on the front nine, and then three within the final four holes.
It was a really great performance from a young player who still has another year of varsity golf ahead of her.
McCollum with R-P golf coach Matt Pallett. Photo/Joe Lane
“Sophia is fun to watch,” said R-P head coach Matt Pallett. “She is playing some really great golf. What Sophia has done to finish off the last two tournaments has been quite remarkable. If you are a golf fan and did not get to see it, then you missed out on some spectacular golf.”
The day wasn’t quite as happy for Reeths-Puffer in the team standings. The Rockets were trying to win their third straight team title but fell just short, shooting a 382, behind first-place Montague, which won with a 355.
R-P junior Olivia Ambler continued her recent hot streak, shooting a 92, finishing seventh in the individual standings and earning a tournament medal. She started out rather cold, but shot a 43 on the back nine to move into the top 10.
R-P's GMAA medalists: McCollom, left, and Olivia Ambler.
“I am happy for Olivia,” Pallett said. “Coming off a career best round on Friday and then starting the way she did is not easy. She battled all day to earn that medal.”
Junior Ella Voorhies shot a 101 for the Rockets while senior Ava Gibbs shot a 118.
“The team fell short of one of its goals of winning the GMAA for the third straight year,” Pallett said. “Congrats to Coach Kerr and the Montague Wildcats. They played well today and earned the trophy.”