The Reeths-Puffer girls golf team has had its good days and not-so-good days this season, but suddenly the Rockets are starting to peak with the schedule winding down and the biggest events of the year approaching.
On Thursday the Rockets finished second in the final O-K Green conference jamboree of the season at The Meadows in Allendale. It was their best showing against their conference opponents all year.
They did even better on Friday, shooting their best 18-hole team score of the season and finishing third out of 13 teams at their own Lady Rocket Invitational at Lincoln Golf Club.
Sophomore Sophia McCollum and senior Rowan Bluhm, who have been rotating all season as R-P’s top golfer at various events, finally had a great day on the same day on Friday, with McCollum taking second place individually and Bluhm finishing third.
As Coach Matt Pallett put it, “The team is trending in the right direction at the right time of year.”
Sophia McCollum
Thursday’s conference jamboree was a big step forward for the Rockets.
They were tired of finishing no better than third place in the conference jamborees and made it a goal to finish at least second.
They accomplished that goal, shooting a team score of 181 and coming in second, behind first-place Caledonia (166) and two shots ahead of both Mona Shores and Byron Center.
For the first time this year, the Rockets had four golfers shoot below 50 for a nine-hole event.
McCollum had a great day, shooting a round of 40 and finishing third in the individual standings.
Senior Rowan Bluhm and sophomore Ella Voorhies both shot a 46 and tied for 10th place individually. Voorhies beat her personal best nine-hole score by five shots.
Rowan Bluhm
Olivia Ambler shot a 49 and Emma Dvorak shot a 63 for the Rockets.
Thursday’s success carried over to Friday, when the Rockets were even more impressive on a bigger stage, shooting a season-best 18-hole team score of 353 and taking third place out of 13 teams at their invitational tournament.
Lowell won the tournament with a 340 and Forest Hills Central was second with a 351.
McCollum and Bluhm were both at the top of their games for R-P.
McCollum finished with an 80 and took second place in the individual standings. Bluhm was right on her heels, shooting an 81 and finishing third.
Both girls won “All Tournament” medals for their efforts.
Ella Voorhies
“Rowan and Sophia both played great on the same day for one of the first times this year,” Pallett said. “They are definitely a great one-two punch for the team.”
Voorhies continued her hot shooting on Friday, turning in a 94, which beat her personal best score for 18 holes by an amazing 11 shots.
Ambler shot a 98 and Dvorak shot a 109.
“Ella Voorhies shot her third personal varsity best in a row,” Pallett said. “She reached one of her personal goals today. She continues to trend in a great direction.”
The Rockets will now prepare for Wednesday’s Greater Muskegon Athletic Association City Tournament, where they will try to defend their 2023 team championship.
“The girls seem like they are having fun,” Pallett said. “Ultimately, that is what this is all about. Coach Howard and I are having fun watching them have fun!
“We look forward to the challenge of defending the city championship on Wednesday."