County medalist Lauren Timpf more than a ‘great golfer’ for Lutheran North

By Chuck Klonke

Lutheran North’s Lauren Timpf hits a shot with an iron during the Macomb County tournament at Timberwood in Ray Township on Monday

If Timberwood Golf Club isn’t Lauren Timpf’s favorite course, it probably should be.

A practice round on the Ray Township course had the Lutheran North sophomore thinking records when she teed off Monday in the Macomb County Invitational.

“I was shooting for the record,” Timpf admitted after shooting a two-under par 70 to earn medalist honors at the county meet. “I shot a 63 here the other day. I’ve only played the course twice, the first time was the 63.”

Lutheran North’s Lauren Timpf hits a shot with an iron during the Macomb County tournament at Timberwood in Ray Township on Monday. (DAVID DALTON for MediaNews Group)

Although Timpf missed the county record at Timberwood by two strokes, she was happy with her performance.

“Today was pretty steady the whole round,” she said. “I had three birdies and one bogey. It was just basically driver, green, two-putt all day.”

Timpf’s birdies came on the 308-yard fourth hole, the 276-yard sixth and the 268-yard 16th. All three were par fours.

She said the birdies were nothing spectacular.

“I just got them pretty close to the hole and made the putts,” she said.

Alexis Sinutko of Ford, Alexis Yang of Stevenson and Helen Buk of Dakota tied for second with 79s. Sarah Doletzky of North rounded out the top five with an 84.

Timpf’s coach and teammates are impressed with more than her golfing ability.

“Lauren makes everyone else better,” said Mustangs coach Alex Schlump. “People of her caliber sometimes have a negative impact on others but she is the most humble person ever. I also have the advantage of being her English teacher and she’s a great golfer but a phenomenal young lady.”

Doletzky, North’s senior captain, has been Timpf’s teammate the last two years and has appreciated the time with her.

Lutheran North sophomore Lauren Timpf putts during the county tournament at Timberwood Golf Club on Monday, October 11, 2021.

“Everyone follows Lauren because she’s such an amazing golfer,” Doletzky said. “She carries us a lot of the time. When she’s sick we get a little worried. We all have to step it up then.”

A budding golf career began when 5-year-old Lauren decided to tag along with her dad, Ryan, when he went to the driving range.

“My dad was always going to the range,” she recalled. “One day I asked him if I could come and he said ’sure.’ It’s been my thing ever since. I played my first round when I was probably seven and my first tournament when I was eight. I play golf basically every day now.”

It shows in Timpf’s game. Last week she was the regional medalist with a 74 at Pontiac Country Club and led Lutheran North to a second-place finish and a berth in the state tournament for the 10th straight season.

The Division 3 finals are Friday and Saturday at Forest Akers West.