The Reeths-Puffer girls golf team was expected to be pretty good this season, and now the Rockets are starting to show everyone why.
It was evident on Wednesday when R-P won the championship at the Whitehall Invitational at the White Lake Golf Club, with three players finishing in the top 15.
The Rockets posted a team score of 340, which was the second lowest in the past five seasons. They finished 15 shots ahead of second-place Whitehall, which came in at 355.
Sophia McCollum
Montague was third with a 364 score, followed by Sparta and Grand Rapids Catholic, which tied at 379. A total of 12 teams competed.
The top Rocket was senior defending state champion Sophia McCollum, who took first place in the overall standings with a 69, her best varsity score to date. Her round was highlighted by a pretty amazing six birdies.
R-P senior Olivia Ambler finished fourth individually with an 84 and also won an All-Tournament medal. Senior Ella Voorhies heated up and shot a 92, her second lowest varsity score, and finished 14th.
Olivia Ambler
“Sophia played great today,” said R-P head coach Matt Pallett. “Fortunately, we also have other girls who have been overshadowed a bit that have also really improved.
“Olivia Ambler and Ella Voorhies have really improved and put us in a great position to have a great year. Both of them played well today and battled through some tough stretches for the team.”
Freshman Abby Davis was the final scorer for the Rockets, shooting a 95, her best score so far, and 16 shots better than her previous best. Also competing and shooting their personal bests were freshmen Tala Johnson and Mia Hanichen, who shot 116 and 117, respectively.
“It was a great day for the team,” Pallett said. “All six of the girls that played either shot personal bests or very close to personal bests. It is our first team victory in two years. I am extremely proud of these girls. I have put them through a tough schedule to start the season.”
