Senior Grace Hoffman qualified for the Division 2 state golf final by one stroke.

Hoffman placed fourth at her regional meet Thursday, Oct. 12, shooting an 83, and tied with Brenna Legner from Bay City Central, which meant the two had to compete in a playoff hole for the final spot to qualify for the state final.

The top three finishers not on a qualifying team also make the state final.

Hoffman shot a one-over bogey on a par 4, while Legner 3-putted and finished with a double bogey on the 10th hole at Currie West Golf Course in Midland.

While her teammates were watching, Hoffman was pacing, waiting for her chance to compete in the playoff.

“(Coach Andy) Nester said he wished he got a video of me because I was all over the place before I teed off,” Hoffman said.

Before the playoff hole, Hoffman’s round of 18 was respectable.  She said she’s played at Currie West before and felt comfortable on the course.

“I played it with my dad before school started and shot my unofficial PR of 77,” Hoffman said. “It is one of the shortest courses we have played, and since I am a long hitter I had the advantage. My driver really helped because the majority of my drives were long and straight and my irons were mostly going the correct distance.”

As for thinking about her final golf tournament in high school, where the stakes are the highest, Hoffman said she is thrilled with being able to compete at Battle Creek’s Bedford Valley, starting on Friday, Oct. 20. The final round is Saturday, Oct. 21.

“I’m super excited. It has been my goal all of high school and this year it was my main focus, so of course it came down to a stressful playoff,” Hoffman said. “I hope I do well, but I’m not really concerned on what I shoot. Just getting there was the goal.”

As a team, Kearlsey finished seventh, shooting a combined 399 among its four players.

The Hornets’ second best finish was senior Gabby Ropp. She placed 19th, shooting a 96.

Senior Elise Pariseau shot a 109 that was good enough for 37th place, and her sister senior Lauren Pariseau was two strokes behind, shooting a 111 for 43rd place.

Junior Emma Bishoff was not able to play due to injury.

While Hoffman’s team had a chance to qualify for the state final her freshman year but did not, this will be Hoffman’s first time competing in the final.

“Last year I also had a good chance, but I totally fell apart,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman is looking forward to competing at her first final.

The top three teams qualified for the final.

Midland Dow won the regional, shooting a 348. The runner-up was Traverse City Central with a 368, while Petoskey’s 377 was good enough for third place.