Troy lands sixth at golf finals

YPSILANTI — Saturday was bittersweet for Devon Compton..

The senior golfer from Rochester Stoney Creek ended her high school career with an individual state championship, but her team came up an agonizingly three strokes shy of a state title..

Compton, a four-time state qualifier had to play an extra hole for a tiebreaker with Holt’s Mariah Massa, edging Massa by a stroke on the playoff round at Eagle Crest Golf Resort in Ypsilanti, which hosted the two-day Division 1 state finals..

Compton, who shared the lead after the first day with three other golfers, finished with a two-day total of 150 (77-73) to become the third straight medalist from the Rochester area. Rochester’s Amy Meier (2008) and Christine Meier (2009) both won individual crowns the previous two years..

Massa had the identical scores as Compton to also finish at 150..

“We definitely thought we had a chance to take it as a team, but as an individual, as a whole, I am pretty happy with how I played,” said Compton. “The first day I wasn’t rolling in many putts, (The) second day comes around, (I was) two-over on the front and even-par on the back (nine). I was rolling a lot more of them in, and striking the ball better..

“Going into the playoff, I was surprised,” continued Compton. “It’s like you get of the golf course you think you’re done. But you have to keep going.”.

Compton became the school’s first female individual state champion in any sport. .

“I was nervous during the playoffs, always nervous when that happens,” Compton added. “But it was worth it.”.

Stoney Creek’s Gabby Yurik finished in the top 10 for the third straight season, as the junior finished at 152 (77-75). Plymouth’s Kelsey Murphy (156), Sterling Heights Stevenson’s Amanda Gardiner (156), Saline’s Karla Gross (157), Rochester’s Rosalie Shyu (161), Brighton’s Hannah Pietila (161) and Novi’s Megan Henry (162) rounded out the top 10 in the medalists standings..

Teamwise, Saline held a five-stroke advantage over Stoney Creek after the first day, 330-335. The Cougars, who took over the No. 1 spot in the polls around Labor Day, improved their total by 10 strokes during the second day of competition but still came up short..

Saline finished at 657 (330-327) to Stoney Creek’s 660 (335-325) to earn the team title, it’s first in school history. The Hornets were second in the state to Rochester last season..

Holt finished third at 675, followed by Grosse Pointe South (679), Davison (693), Troy (697), Temperance Bedford (697), two-time defending champion Rochester (702), Novi (734) and Northville (746) in the top 10. Plymouth (757), Brighton (759), Milford (760), Hudsonville (805) and Holland West Ottawa (821) rounded out the team scores..

Individual qualifier Betty Pan from Clarkston posted rounds of 89 and 75 (165 total) to finish inside the top-20. Arriving from China as an exchange student in early September, Pan nailed a hole-in-one on the sixth hole to highlight the day. It was her third hole-in-one of her career..

The day belong to Saline, which fell from the top spot in the rankings in late August only to finish on top by a slim margin on the final weekend of the season..

Following Gross’ 157, Shannon Fraser (163), Emily White (165) and Kristen Areddy (172) aided Saline’s winning effort..

Stoney Creek has climbed the charts for a a school in just its ninth year. The Cougars were fourth in 2008, third in 2009 and now a school-best second..

Marianna Stepp (80-87—167) and Abbie McCain (101-90—191) were the Cougars’ other contributors at the finals..

“It’s bittersweet,” admitted Stoney Creek coach Todd Vince. “To have the No. 1 golfer in the state but to miss the title by three strokes. That was our goal and I think the girls thought we had a good shot at it. (Friday’s first round) was the difference. Saline just beat us the first day. I thought the girls did a good job. It was a beautiful day for golf, so it was all (left out) on the course.” Troy made the jump from 12th last season to sixth this season and will return three of its top five golfers next season. Kelly Feng led the Colts with a 169 (89-80), with Marly Garman one behind at 170 (91-79). Christine Dolikian (90-85—175) and Marisa Oleski (95-88—183) also shot better than the first day for Troy. “We played a lot better than last year, when we were 12th,” said Troy coach John Getzan. “We didn’t The eight-place finish marked Rochester’s 12th straight top-10 showing at the state finals..

“I am happy for this team, because we shot better overall than the first day,” said Rochester coach Jeff Haney. “We actually dropped in the standings from the first day to second day but we still played some solid golf for us.”.

Shyu, a senior, shot 80 and 81 to finish in the top 10 for the fourth straight season. Jyl Monahan (87-93—180), Amanda Graham (96-87—183) and Hailey Bradley (96-89—185) also contributed to the Falcons’ two-day total.

Tags: golf

Category: Rochester Stoney Creek, Troy