Essence Biggs will be the first to tell you she didn’t have her “A” game at last month’s State Championship Golf Tournament.
Her putting was, in her words, “awful”.
But here’s the catch – that’s how she described her play after she won the individual Division II state title.
Two years into her career at Seaholm, golfer Biggs accomplished a goal many only dream about. Biggs led the field with an overall score of 161, combining a first round score of 82 and a second round score of 79.
“I was actually really surprised that I won,” Biggs said. “The first day the leader shot a 79, so the next day I thought it was over, but she ended up shooting an 86, and I won.”
Though the team didn’t win a title – Seaholm finished an impressive seventh -- Biggs easily made up for it.
“They were all really excited for me,” Biggs said. “It was awesome that they were all there to see me win.”
Biggs has been playing golf since the young age of four years old.
“Everyone on my dad’s side of the family plays golf,” Biggs said. “We always used to go to the driving range, and it kind of just became second nature.”
Biggs credits a lot of her success today to her dad.
“He doesn’t play as much, but he knows everything about golf,” Biggs said. “He does what a typical dad does and always gives me tips, but tries to make me better.”
Though it was only her second year on the team, Biggs has the full support of her teammates and coach.
“Essence is an amazing golfer and I love being on a team with her,” said senior golfer Natalie Collins.
Her teammates also believe she’s a great captain.
“Essence was a really good captain. She always wanted to know how everyone did and always helped out the team,” said senior Ali Tonis. “She was our best player and she also helped our team bond in the beginning of the year. She did a really good job of including everyone no matter what.”
Bigg’s coach Leon Braisted said her success isn’t unexpected.
“I wasn’t surprised she won,” said Braisted. “She finished second in the state last year as a sophomore, and she lost by one stroke, that girl graduated, so it was just a matter of her coming out and playing well.”
Biggs was new to Seaholm last year, but was in no way new to the game of golf.
“I played a lot, but got really into when I was 12, and started playing in tournaments,” Biggs said. “At Walled Lake High School, I was also on varsity my freshman year.”
Playing at the next level is definitely another goal Biggs is looking to achieve.
“I’m definitely looking to play in college, some schools have called my coach already,” Biggs said.
Biggs was very happy to win the individual state title, but insists the most important thing is the team. “That’s my main goal, to play for my team,” Biggs said.
Biggs is a perfectionist when it comes to not only herself but also her teammates.
“We got seventh in the state, which was great, but I do want to see us do better next year,” Biggs said.
Most weekend duffers would be ecstatic to shoot in the 90s. Biggs easily beats that, and isn’t satisfied.
“My average this year was an 81,” Biggs said. “For me that’s actually bad, I want to be averaging in the mid to low 70’s.”
Though she won the state title, Biggs is always looking to improve.
“I’m gonna change my swing this summer because it has a lot of flaws,” Biggs said. “I wasn’t playing my best at the state tournament, my putting was awful.”
Biggs believes the team will be even better next year.
“Were returning a lot of talent, I know a couple 8th graders who already shoot in the 80’s, so next year we’re looking to do even better,” Biggs said.
