Senior Grace Hoffman tied for fifth and made first team All-League at the Flint Metro League Post-season Jamboree at Fenton Farms Golf Club on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

Hoffman carded an 86, leading the Hornets, who finished as runners-up tallying 382 strokes as a team. Fenton won the jamboree (333) while Swartz Creek was third (387).

Hoffman contributes her All-League selection to hard work.

“Practice,” Hoffman said. “Lots and lots of practice. I received this honor sophomore and junior years, but I knew this year would be a lot more competitive. Because of this, I hardly took a day off all summer and played a lot more golf.”

Junior Emma Bishoff and seniors Elise Pariseau and Gabby Ropp earned second team.

In addition, senior Lauren Pariseau earned honorable mention.

At the jamboree, Bishoff shot a 94, Ropp 100, Elise Pariseau 102, and Lauren Pariseau 110.

Coach Andy Nester said beating Swartz Creek is a challenge because both teams are so similar.

“Golf is a game of strokes,” Nester said. “When two teams, as evenly matched in individual averages as Kearsley and Swartz Creek, it is difficult to predict who will win on any given day or course,” Nester said.

Nester said the Hornets were able to drive their balls farther than the Dragons could.

“I think our team hits the ball farther on average than Swartz Creek does,” he said. “It appeared to me that we hit more greens in regulation and from that standpoint, it may have accounted for the difference in strokes that day. I know our team was focused and prepared to play our best.”

Nester also was impressed with Bishoff’s game.

“Emma Bishoff shot a 94, which, from the third position, helped our team score. She beat her pre-season score by seven shots and kept us in it,” Nester said. “The rest of our team shot better or near the pre-season score making the team score what it should be, an improvement on our season.”

Going into the jamboree, Kearsley was in third place, but the second-place finish moved the Hornets up. In the final league standings, Fenton took first, while Kearsley and Swartz Creek tied for second.

Nester is proud of the team’s effort.

“We have always had a tough competition with Creek, and to tie with them is a great accomplishment,” Nester said. “Their hard work paid off, and I’m very proud of them.”

Hoffman believes the team did really well, considering  the weather conditions.

“It down poured right before (the match), which made the course longer and the greens inconsistent, which was frustrating everyone,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman is not fond of the course in Fenton and chose not to use her driver on the back nine.  The decision made sense. She shot a 46 on the front and a 40 on the back.

“I loath Fenton Farms, especially the front nine,” Hoffman said. “I put my driver away, but I usually always go high on the front and low on the back. Most people are the opposite, which is why I was one of the lowest (on the back nine.)”

Nester agreed with Hoffman’s assessment of the course.

“Grace has had a love-hate relationship with Fenton Farms golf course,” he said. “She has scored low and had some rounds where the course won.”

Nester also said Hoffman is an intelligent player.

“The afternoon played somewhat in the favor of the golfer, and she (Hoffman) is excellent at thinking out how to play particular holes,” he said. “I believe Grace knew she needed to make up for a front nine that didn’t go her way and paid close attention to keeping the ball in play and not making mental mistakes. She is a competitor.”

With this season ending, the seniors have to say goodbye to their teammates and the players from around the Flint Metro League.

“It was bittersweet,” Hoffman said. “Girls golf in the FML is one big family, and it was my last time playing with half of the teams.”

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