The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Lammers qualifies for state
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 24, 2007
It didn't take long for the Milan girls' golf team to send its first representative to the state tournament.
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Freshman Lindsey Lammers shot a 90 at a Division 3 regional tournament held at Riverview-Highlands Golf Course last Thursday, good for one of the three top scores at the meet among competitors not playing for a state qualifying team—and good enough to earn Lammers a ticket to play the state finals at Eagle Crest in Ypsilanti June 1-2.
Lammers will be the only freshman amongst the 15 Division 3 qualifiers and one of only two in any of the Michigan High School Athletic Association's three divisions.
"I'm so excited," Lammers said of the chance to play alongside some of the state's best. "It's definitely an amazing feeling. I'm going to go and just give it my all."
"I couldn't be any happier for her," Neff said. "I think it's going to help build the program. Girls in the school are excited about what she's doing ... it's been an up-and-down season and I thought getting the Taylor-Made clubs would the high point, but this tops it."
Her qualification for state is only the most recent of Lammers's accomplishments during her freshman season, which now also includes All-Huron League honors after shooting an 85 at the league meet Wednesday, May 16. Lammers placed fourth individually.
The Big Red team finished sixth out of six with a score of 561. Amber Marks was Milan's next-lowest finisher with a round of 145.
Marks dropped 13 strokes off her total at Regionals the next day, finishing with a 145. Allie McAfee shot a 167 and Jamie Barnett would have provided Milan's fourth score at Regionals but was forced to withdraw after nine holes with a nagging ankle injury.
The injury and subsequent removal of the Big Reds from the meet's official results (due to the "incomplete" score) was just one last hurdle for the Milan team during what has been an often turbulent, if exciting, first season. Even as the Reds' scores were somewhat higher-than-hoped for, Neff saw positives in the team's experience at the league and regional meets.
"There's a lot to build on," Neff said. "Their attitude remained upbeat and positive, I think Amber's 132 was a good score for her, and Jamie was playing relatively well when she had to withdraw. We're already looking forward to the fall."
The season has finished for the team outside of Lammers, but Neff says the rest of the Big Reds are already making plans to follow their teammate as she competes at Eagle Crest — and that Lammers's teammates are nothing but delighted for her success.
"There's no jealousy on the team," Neff said. "Lindsey's never let anything go to her head. She's a great teammate and they all just want to support her and see her do well."
In Neff's opinion, Lammers's first attempt at state is a kind of "practice year" in preparation for potential state appearances to come over the next three years. But that doesn't mean either she or Lammers are taking it less than seriously.
"Realistically, she's not going to win the state title as a freshman," Neff said. "But I think she can absolutely make the top 20, and that would be a terrific accomplishment."
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