The Dreadnaughts are packing their “bags” for the State Finals.
The Dexter girls’ golf team carded an impressive 341 to finish first at the competitive Division 2 Regional 10 on Tuesday at Coldwater Golf Club. It was a tight race to the top featuring a strong field with a lot of pressure on every player and on every shot.
“I thought the team played extremely well (Tuesday),” said Dexter Coach Greg Palkowski. “We had a great warmup session and they all arrived at the course relaxed and full of confidence. The team was excited to win Regionals, as they should be with all the hard work and effort they have put forth this season.”
After the final putt was made, Mason finished second with 353 points and South Lyon was third with 356. DeWitt finished fourth with a 364, just eight shots from the coveted third spot. The top three teams (and top three individuals from non-qualifying teams) qualify for the D-2 State Finals Oct. 18-19 at The Meadows at Grand Valley State.
Dexter placed seventh at last year’s state finals with only one senior on the scorecard.
Avery Manning, who had the second best score at the state finals last year, carded a Regional best score of 1-under-par 71 to lead the Dreadnaughts on Tuesday. She was the only player in the field to shoot in the 70s. The next best score was an 81.
“Avery’s round of 71 was just amazing,” said Palkowski. “She got out to a really good start on her first four holes and then reached the par 5 5th hole in two shots to set up her first birdie of the day.”
Manning had a couple of bogeys on the front nine to finish with a 1-over par 37. She birdied the par 3 10th hole and then rolled in another birdie on the par 5 14th hole to finish the back nine at 2-under par 34.
“She really brought out her A game and having played this course a couple of years ago in Regionals, and in a practice round last weekend, she really had a game plan on how she wanted to play each hole,” Palkowski said. “I felt her club selection was spot on all day and she had a solid round.”
As “amazing” as Manning was, Dexter’s Regional victory required a total team effort and three players finishing in the top eight of the tournament was also amazing. Joining Avery at the top of scorecard was freshman Maddy Manning (seventh place, 85) and junior Millie Truesdell (eighth place, 86).
Senior Sophia Dettling carded a 99 and senior Eleni Michos shot a 100 for the Dreadnaughts.
“Sophia (Dettling) and Eleni (Michos) had good rounds and both felt they could have played better but they enjoyed the moment of playing in a Regional event,” Palkowski said. “Their attitude stayed positive throughout the round. As a coach, you want these young ladies to have fun on the course, enjoy playing this game of golf and embrace these moments as an individual and with their team to create these high school memories.”
