THOMPSONVILLE — Reeths-Puffer’s Sophia McCollum continued her fine golfing as she finished third overall at the Lober McManus Girls Golf Classic on August 18-19, but Montague finished third as a team and the Rockets finished sixth.

The 36-hole, 18-hole day event was held at the Crystal Mountain Resort on both the Mountain Ridge and Betsie Valley courses, had a field of 16 teams, and Montague’s team score was 771, with scores of 375 on Day 1 and a 396 on Day 2.

The Rockets finished with a team score of 808 with scores of 402 on Day 1 and 406 on Day 2.

But the third-place Wildcats were led by Addi Smith, who had a two-day total of 184, shotting a first round score of 87 and a second-day score of 97 to finish 10th.

Marguerite O’Connell finished 17th with a two-day score of 192, following a day-one round of 94 and a day-two round of 98.

Brynlee Kessler came up with a 194 to finish 21st, with a day-one score of 94 and a day-two score of 100.

Also for the Wildcats, Molly Mulder shot a two-day score of 201, with a 100 on Day 1 and a 101on Day 2 to finish 30th.

Coming in 67th was Callie Peterson, whose 252 enabled to finish 67th.

Peterson’s Day 1 round ended with a score of 127 and a Day 2 round of 125.

The Rockets’ McCullom’s third place score consisted of an overall score of 166, after shooting rounds of 83 on both Day 1 and Day 2.

McCollum’s first-day was highlighted by a birdie on the sixth-hole.

Olivia Ambler finished in a tie with Montague’s O’Connell for 17th with a combined score of 192, shooting a 92 on Day 1 and 100 on Day 2.

Rockets’ Head Coach Matt Pallett said that Ambler had her best finish in this event.

Coming in 35th was Ella Voorhies, whose combined score of 210 was the result of a Day 1 score of 106 and a 104 on Day 2.

Kylie Heykoop finished 53rd with a 239, with a Day 1 score of 126 and a Day 2 score of 113.

Tala Johnson finished in 58th with an overall score of 243 after shooting a 124 on Day 1 and a 119 on Day 2.

The Rockets’ Abigail Davis finished with a combined score of 255, good for 70th.

Davis shot a 121 on Day 1 and a 134 on Day 2.

Finishing in 75th was Mia Hanichen, who shot a Day 1 score of 124 and a Day 2 score of 137.

About McCollum’s event, Pallett said, “Her two-day total of 166 earned her a third-place out of 81 golfers and an ‘All Tournament’ medal.”

“Sophia had two good rounds of golf,” Pallett said. “She started on Day 1 with a couple of bad holes.”

“I think she was a little shell-shocked,” Pallett also said. “She battled back through Day 1 and Day 2 to earn third place overall.”

And Pallett said, “She definitely did not have her ‘A’ game on these two days, but she kept grinding.”

“I had four girls (Abby, Kylie, Mia and Tala) that have been thrown right into the fire,” Pallett said.

“These girls have never played 18-holes walking before,” Pallett also said.

Additionally, Pallett said, “Within the last week they have played 18 at the Meadows (Grand Valley State University) and now 36 holes at Crystal Mountain.”

“Those are three tough courses to play, let alone play and walk,” Pallett said. “I’m proud of the four of them.”

Pallett said, “They handled themselves very well-they will be a big part of our success this year.

Pallett also said that it was the first time Abby, Kylie, Mia and Tala have ever played the courses.

Wildcats Head Coach Phil Kerr said he was very pleased with the way his girls performed this entire week, including this event, as well as the Katke and the first WMC conference meet held August 20.

“We had different girls step up with big rounds on different days, and that’s what you need if you want to be a really good team,” Kerr said.

“I can’t say enough about what Addi Smith has done for us these first two weeks,” Kerr said. “She’s stepped into that number one spot and hasn’t missed a beat.”

Kerr also said that Smith has been impressive with her game so far this fall and that going out the first conference event win is a testament to where her game is at currently.

“But even more than scores, I’ve been impressed with the way she’s embraced being a leader for this team,” Kerr said.

And Kerr said he was impressed with how his team handled the demanding stretch of girls golf against some good competition and learned about his team.

“To finish second at Katke, third at Crystal and then win our conference event is a great start, especially because we know there’s still a lot of room for us to get better,” Kerr said.

Kerr concluded by saying, “We haven’t played our best golf as a team yet.

Montague played in the Katke event, which was held at the Katke Golf Course at Ferris State University, and the WMC Lakes event, where the Wildcats won, was held August 20 at the Stonegate Community and Golf Club in Twin Lake.