Medalist Lauren Timpf leads Lutheran North to fourth straight county golf championship
By Chuck Klonke
The faces may change, the places may change but one thing remains constant — Lutheran North’s supremacy in Macomb County girls golf.
The Mustangs won their fourth straight Macomb County Invitational Wednesday at Heather Hills Golf Club in Bruce Township with a team score of 354. Stevenson repeated as runner-up with a 386 and Ford grabbed third place with a 407.
Lutheran North senior Lauren Timpf watches her shot during the Macomb County tournament at Heather Hills on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, Timpf won medalist honors for the third straight year. (GEORGE SPITERI)
North senior Lauren Timpf was the meet medalist for the third straight year shooting one over par 73 on the challenging 5,100-yard course. Ford’s Alexis Sinutko (86) and Stevenson’s Alexis Yang (87) were the only other golfers to break 80.
It was the first time the tournament has been played at Heather Hills.
“The girls have been working hard to constantly improve day-to-day, week-to-week and tournament-to-tournament,” said first-year coach John Cardenas. “We’re going in the right direction. Hopefully, we can take this momentum and keep it going forward.”
The county tournament has always been one of the Mustangs’ goals at the beginning of each season.
“We try our best in every tournament, but at counties, regionals and states we always try to shoot our best of the year,” said Saige Rothey, who shot a round of 82 that included five birdies.
Rothey said the course was difficult.
“It’s very hilly, either straight uphill or straight downhill,” she said. “It’s the same with the putting greens. I had five birdies but I also had some double-bogey holes. There are ups and downs, but it’s all about recoveries. I’ve definitely worked a lot on the mental game because that really hurt me last year.”
Lutheran North coach John Cardenas is interviewed after the county tournament at Heather Hills. (GEORGE POHLY)
Cardenas realized he had a tough job, taking over a team that won the state Division 3 championship in 2022.
“It’s been a lot of fun, nerve-wracking at times but it’s been a great experience,” he said. “You just want the girls to play up to their ability — which they normally do.”
Also scoring for North were Gabby Cardenas with 98 and Isabella Vincent with 101. Layla Milton rounded out the Mustangs team.
There’s much more ahead for North.
“This really starts the end of the year for us,” John Cardenas said. “It’s good preparation for the Catholic League championship next week (at Detroit Golf Club) and then regionals (at Huron Meadows Metropark on Oct. 9).”
Stevenson coach Dennis Walczak felt that playing the tough Heather Hills layout will be beneficial to the Titans.
“It’s definitely a tough course but they managed it and learned a few lessons that they can take into states if they qualify,” he said. “These are the courses they aren’t used to playing. I think they handled adversity today. I’m looking forward to more improvement.
“If they keep playing the way they’re playing, keep learning the way they’re learning, I think they can make states another accomplishment. Any struggles they had, they’ve learned from and bounced back. That makes them a winner in my mind.”
Following Yang’s 87 were Megan Luke (93), Katrina Ishioka (98) and Aubrie Dennis (108).
Ford jumped a spot from its fourth-place finish in the county last season.
“That was the idea coming in,” said coach Justin Lease. “We were in the first flight — the top three teams — and our goal was to finish in the top three. They did a great job doing it.”
Sinutko led the way for the Falcons with her 86. Also scoring were Julia Ortmann (98), Emma Ostrowski (108) and Lily Diamond (115).
“Alex shot 35 in a match this week, I’m sure she’s disappointed with an 86 but it’s a very difficult golf course and with the exception of one or two holes she did very well,” Lease said. “We’ve been counting of scores of 35 and 36 from her all year. An 86 on this course is pretty strong.”
Ford is having a nice season.
“I’m happy with the year,” Lease said. “We’re undefeated in the MAC White and we hope to finish it off.”
Results
1, Lutheran North (354): Lauren Timpf 73, Saige Rothey 82, Gabby Cardenas 98, Isabella Vincent 101.
2, Stevenson (386): Alexis Yang 87, Megan Luke 93, Katrina Ishioka 98, Aubrie Dennis 108.
3, Ford (407): Alexis Sinutko 86, Julia Ortmann 98, Emma Ostrowski 108, Lily Diamond 115.
4, Dakota (427): Marissa Monteith 95, Angelina Accuso 105, Isabella Marocco 113, Isabella Cavataio 114.
5, Eisenhower (434): Paige Hays 106, Isabella Devine 108, Mia Miller 110, Katie Caruso 110.
6, Romeo (441): Addi Karwowicz 104, Lydia Asman 105, Anna Ferguson 114, Emily Stiltner 118.
7, Chippewa Valley (447): Chyla Weir 104, Natalie Everett 113, Aubrey Pemberton 114, Yujin Chang 116.
8, Richmond (483): Jaelyn Jozwiak 112, Camryn Moore 118, Olivia Ryan 126, Mariah Manchik 127.
9, Regina (495): Greta Hellebuyck 109, Zoe Litz 115, Annie Artymovich 123, Bailie Jackowski 148.
10, Utica (508): Zoe Zeiser 113, Madelyn Carrier 117, Riley Burton 128, Cali Kaczmar 150.
KEEP UP THE HARD WORK MUSTANGS!
Article originally posted by The Macomb Daily