Brandon’s varsity girls golf team won’t be making the trip to the state finals, but junior Laura Kwiatkowski will.
The Blackhawks finished ninth out of 16 teams in Division 2 regional action May 19 at Indian Springs Golf Course, compiling a team score of 408.
Birmingham Seaholm finished first with a team score of 347, while Lakeland finished second (365) and Bloomfield Hills Lahser third (367). The top three teams qualified for the Division 2 state meet Friday, June 3 at Forest Acres West in Lansing.
Kwiatkowski qualified for the state meet by virtue of her fifth-place finish at the meet, carding an 85. In addition to the top three teams, the top five individual finishers qualify for the Division 2 state meet.
This is the first time Kwiatkowski has qualified for the state meet, and she said experience has made a difference in her improvement.
‘I’ve worked really hard on my swing and my fundamentals have improved,? she said. ‘My course management has also improved.?
Brandon coach Jerry Warner said Kwiatkowski has worked very hard to get to that point.
‘She really loves the game,? he said. ‘She’ll practice on her own all the time, and she’ll put in the time necessary to get better.?
In addition, Warner said Kwiatkowski plays during the summer in the Powerbilt League, where she has the chance to go up against some top-notch competition.
As far as her chances at the state meet are concerned, Warner said Kwiatkowski ‘has the ability to do very well.?
For her part, Kwiatkowski said she is ‘just going to play my personal best. I’m not going to try and beat anyone.?
Other Brandon competitors at the regional meet were Becca Scherer (100), Abby Galey (108), Tiffany Harding (115), and Casey Nesterowich (123).
The Blackhawks were edged by Hartland 188-193 in a May 17 match at Hartland Glen North. Brandon’s record is now 6-4 in dual meet action.
Kwiatkowski led the Blackhawks with a round of 41, while Rebekah Schroll shot 49, Scherer 51, and Nesterowich 52.