Last Thursday, sophomore Skyler Tierney shot an 84 at Lincoln Golf club in the MHSAA Division 2 Regional Championships. Her efforts were good enough to place fifth in the competition and secure her a spot in the state championship on October 15 at Bedford Valley Golf Club. Unfortunately for the Lady Rangers, the state championship was far out of reach on Thursday. The girls shot 408 as a team and finished eighth in the regional standings. Due to inclement weather, the tournament was suspended multiple times, and in the end, it took eight hours to complete. 

The top three teams at the regional tournament will go on to compete in the state championship at Bedford Valley in Battle Creek. Among the teams who competed at Lincoln, East Grand Rapids, Coopersville, and Forest Hills Northern will face off alongside many other schools from across the state. Forest Hills Central’s Skyler Tierney will compete as an individual. Skyler finished top three in the regional, among girls whose teams’ were not qualifying. 

Skyler is beyond thrilled to be representing the Rangers next weekend.

“I am very excited to play one more tournament this year. Through the ups and downs of my game this season, my team always had my back.”

This season, the girls golf team struggled to find its groove. The ladies’ best finishes this season included a second-place finish at Arrowhead Golf Club and multiple third-place finishes in conference events. The Rangers had their best tournament finish at Eygpt Valley Country Club, where they finished fourth out of ten teams in the Ernie Popiel Invitational. Unfortunately for the Rangers, they did not qualify for the state tournament, a goal often presented at the beginning of the year by head coach Paul TenEyck.

“Each season, we have two goals, to become better players and qualify for states,” TenEyck said. “This year, we did not meet that goal, but more importantly, I believe everyone improved a tremendous amount on their own.”

Despite the rough showing at regionals, the seniors still feel accomplished this year. Senior Bella Wiseley shot a 109 and was bummed that she did not finish her golf career on a better note but was proud to leave such a strong core behind. 

“I am happy with my career but wish I ended with a bang of a better score,” Bella commented. “However, I am extremely proud of the underclassmen doing so well this year, so that makes me feel very accomplished in a sense.”

This tournament marks the end of the seniors’ careers. Bella Wiseley, Alyssa Cheslek, Lexi Schnelker, and Elyse Walker wrapped up their time in the Ranger golf program at Lincoln golf course. These girls have grown so much since the beginning of their careers. They have all become much better players in their own ways. 

Senior Alyssa Cheslek’s journey through the golf program resulted in close relationships with teammates and coaches. The girls have remained resilient through the ups and downs that these seniors have been through, such as the infamous COVID times. 

“I wasn’t expecting to bond with an entirely new group of people; fellow co-captain Bella Wiseley became a really special person to me. It was an amazing four years, and I cannot believe it is already over.”

Alyssa is leaving behind sophomores Maya Fitzgerald and Skyler Tierney, both of whom have already begun to morph into leaders. 

“[Skyler and Maya] are already some of the best leaders on the team. They both have so much potential, and I’m very excited to see what they can bring in the future.”