The inexperienced, young Seaholm Girl golf team rode confidence into a second place finish at the state tournament.
The Maples were one of the 15 teams to qualify for the Division 2 state tournament, after winning Regional 9 at Heather Highlands Golf Course in Holly, Michigan on October 6th. Essence Biggs shot the low round of the regional with a 79 and all five Seaholm girls finished in the top 15.
The Division 2 state finals were held at Katke-Cousins Golf Course at Oakland University. Seaholm came in as the youngest team in the tournament with two freshmen, Rachel Wilson and Jamie Greene, two sophomores Megan Lam and Riley Miller and their senior anchor, Essence Biggs.
Essence had to take on a different role on the team this year, being the only upperclassman, which brought on an additional leadership role.
“If our coach didn’t like the way the team acted it was my duty to make sure it didn’t happen again,” said Biggs.
The state finals consisted of two days with the best combined score of all five golfers on a team over the 2 days.
After the first day Seaholm was second place, 10 strokes behind the leader, lead by freshman Rachel Wilson (82).
“I handled the pressure by trying my best and knowing the team was there for meno matter what,” said Wilson.
Day two was moving day but the bad weather led to 10 of the 15 teams shooting worse in day two then day one.
“We were striving for first but still happy with second given the conditions on the windy and rainy days we played,” said Lam.
When all was said and done, Seaholm widened its second place finish by 31 stokes but the veteran squad of Muskegon Mona Shores won the state tournament by 27 stokes.
“I am ecstatic about how our team finished,” said Wilson. “How I played was not great but in the long run it worked out.”
It was an improvement from their 7th place finish last year.
Biggs finished 7th individually at the tournament, shooting an (83-82) but the weather kept her from playing her best golf.
“It was heavy wind and very cold, but for the most part but I didn’t hit the ball bad,” said Biggs. “What killed me was my short game.”
Biggs learned a lot from this team before she takes her golf game to Seminole State College.
“Being a senior with such a young team is frustrating but rewarding,” said Biggs. “It’s frustrating because all these girls have so much emotions, but rewarding because the friendships are unbreakable, and the leadership lessons will definitely be with me for life.”
The future is looking bright at Seaholm with four of the five varsity girls returning for at least the next two years.
“I am looking forward to come back next year and hopefully win a state championship,” said Wilson.
