Reeths-Puffer’s Sophia McCollum already knew a little bit about pressure situations at regionals.
Last year, as a standout sophomore, she tied her friend and teammate, senior Rowan Bluhm, for sixth place at a Division 2 regional tournament. That was the last available spot to qualify for the state finals, so the two Rockets had to have a one-hole playoff to see who went and who stayed home.
McCollum won the playoff hole and went on to compete at state. The experience was bittersweet for both R-P girls, but it prepared McCollum for more tough challenges ahead.
A big one came on Thursday when McCollum found herself tied with Forest Hills Northern’s Chaille Payne for first place at the Division 2 regional tournament at Lincoln Golf Club. Both girls shot a 78 over 18 holes and had to determine the individual championship with a playoff.
R-P's regional champion Sophia McCollum.
Once again McCollum triumphed, collecting a two-shot birdie on the first playoff hole while Payne missed her birdie putt. She became a regional champion for the first time in her still unfolding high school career and collected her 10th first place finish of the season.
McCollum now advances to the Division 2 state finals at Bedford Valley Golf Course in Battle Creek on Oct. 17-18. She will be among the favorites to win an individual state title, playing on a course where she recently won a tournament against tough competition.
“Sophia had another great day,” said R-P head coach Matt Pallett. “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 playoff hole when she needed to.”
McCollum was happy to learn that she gets to be accompanied by a teammate at the finals this year. Fellow junior Olivia Ambler, who has come on strong in the latter part of the season, shot an 88, finished sixth individually and also qualified for state.
Ambler got off to a rough start, shooting a 48 on the front nine, but then heated up, shot a 40 the rest of the way and became a state qualifier for the first time.
R-P state qualifier Olivia Ambler.
“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.”
The only down side for the Rockets was their near miss in the final team standings. The top three teams automatically qualified for the finals, and R-P fell just short.
The Rockets shot a combined score of 385 and finished in fifth place, only two points behind Greenville, which shot a 383 and finished third. Spring Lake finished first with a 362 score.
Junior Ella Voorhies was the third Rocket to have a really good outing, but it wasn’t quite enough to earn an individual berth at state. She shot a career-best score of 91 and finished in 11th place.
The highlight of her day was a near hole-in-one on the 11th hole at Lincoln.
R-P's Ella Voorhies, who finished in 11th place.
“It was great to see Ella Voorhies have a career best today on a big stage,” said Pallett, who can look forward to having McCollum. Ambler and Voorhies all back next fall as seniors. “She has a lot to be proud of and I look forward to her return next year.”
R-P seniors Keeley Cole and Ava Gibbs wrapped up their high school careers by shooting 128 and 129, respectively.
“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 as a team but just could not get it over the finish line. I am very proud of them and love them all.”