Golfers break through cold and mist for regional title

BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Lady Wolves set their goal on the state championship and achieved it last Thursday as they became MHSAA Girls Golf Regional Champions at Farmington Hills Golf Course.
“They were determined,” said Lezlie Hallman. “They wanted to win. They tasted it last year. They can do anything.”
She added the cold and misty weather didn’t slow them down as they scored 332 for first place at the Division 1, Region 5 tournament.

The Clarkston Girls Varsity Golf team takes home the Division 1, Region 5 crown. From left, Coach Lezlie Hallman, Samantha Weber, Lauren Hartline, Claudia Sampson, Zoe Puskar and Ashley Liles. Photo provided

“They weren’t used to playing in it,” Hallman said. “They did phenomenal.”
Junior Claudia Sampson led the team, finishing with a tie for third place out of 50 golfers as she hit a 77. Junior Ashley Liles finished in fifth place with a 79; and senior Samantha Weber finished in seventh place with a 87.
Junior Lauren Hartline was the fourth and final score to be counted to their total with her 89. Senior Zoe Puskar hit a 93.
“It was so great,” Hallman added. “They were on cloud nine and all of us were walking on air. I thought with this weather just let us get in the top three. When I saw we were number one we were all excited.”
Joining Clarkston at the state championship are OAA Red foes Bloomfield Hills, who finished in second with 346; and Lake Orion, finishing third with 350; out of the ten teams at the regional meet.
“Both we have been juggling all season,” Hallman said. “Coming in first, second or third. It was a nice win. It was a great day. They were walking on air. It was fun. They want a good position at states. We want to come in the top five, even top three if possible. We will see how our days go – you never know.”
The Lady Wolves finished the regular season with a 154-180 win over Lake Orion, Oct. 9. Sampson and Liles both hit a par of 37. Hartline and Puskar each shot a 40.
The win put Clarkston in second place in the OAA Red with Bloomfield Hills finishing in first, Lake Orion, third; Birmingham Seaholm, fourth; Troy, fifth; and Rochester, sixth.
The Lady Wolves will head to The Meadows at Grand Valley State University next week where they will get familiar with the course on Thursday. The state finals is set for Friday and Saturday at the course in Allendale.

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