Over the weekend the Ranger varsity girls golf team took on 17 other teams statewide in Battle Creek Michigan for the MHSAA State Championship. Over Friday and Saturday, the team golfed alongside Petoskey, St. John’s, and Port Huron at Breadford Valley golf course. Friday was a sunny day: perfect golfing weather for the team, the course was short and open with little to no trees in the way. Although the fairways were doable, there were an excessive amount of large sandtraps with some leftover rainwater that created some trouble for the girls. The scores for Friday were as follows: Paige Snyder(102), Kayley Reynolds(95), Ally Ringler(88), Kacie Rispler(108) and Meg Meekhoff(104). Overall they worked hard to overcome the obstacles that Breadford Valley presented them. On Saturday the weather wasn’t as nice, there was a slight breeze that created a challenge for the golfers to hit a straight drive. The scores were as follows: Ally Ringler(89), Paige Snyder(95), Kayley Reynolds(99), Maddie Knoor(105), and Haley Hamill(99). The team and coaches were extremely proud of the way they finished their season. Placing in the top 15 at the state tournament is a grand accomplishment for the Girls Varsity Team. Once again FHC has another team making the school and community proud.

The 15th place finishes at the state championship this season was an incredible improvement from last year when the team placed 4th at Regionals, unable to qualify for the state tournament. The team and coaches were beyond pleased with the improvement made by each individual player and the team as a whole this season. Kayley Reynolds who golfs in FHC’s spot 1 had a lot to say about her golfing and her team.

“This year was a huge step from the past year. We all worked super hard to ensure that we could secure a spot at the state tournament. I am so proud of my teammates for the effort they put in to make this season great.” said Kayley.

Along with Kayley, the other girls felt the same way. The main theme of this season’s success was the hard work that developed into low scores and great results.

“I felt like this season went very well; we improved our golf game and team chemistry. Regionals was one of our best tournaments,” said Meg Meekfoff.

With the great scores and team dynamic achieved this year, everyone is looking forward to next year and to see what the season has in store for the team, especially Coach TenEyck.

“I’m looking forward to the girls improving for next season, not only varsity but JV girls as well. We will be working hard over the winter to tweak grips and adjust swings,” TenEyck said.

“We are going to practice all winter long in the simulator and hopefully improve all aspects of our game,” said junior Kacie Rispler.

This year’s success will definitely be great motivation for next season. The girls and Coach TenEyck are all hoping to see a top ten finish at the State Championships next year.