Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian and Northville have secured team championships at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Girls Golf Finals. NorthPointe Christian earned its first-ever Division 4 title in a close contest, while Northville claimed its second consecutive Division 1 crown with a dominant performance.
In individual competition, Napoleon senior Anna McCubbins won the Division 4 medalist honor, and Plymouth senior Annie Flavin captured the Division 1 individual championship, marking significant personal victories for both athletes.
Key Takeaways
- Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian won its first-ever Division 4 team championship, narrowly defeating Lansing Catholic by a single stroke.
- Northville secured the Division 1 team title for the second consecutive year, finishing 29 strokes ahead of the runner-up.
- Napoleon's Anna McCubbins earned the Division 4 individual title in her fourth and final appearance at the state finals.
- Plymouth's Annie Flavin won the Division 1 individual championship, attributing her success to an improved mental approach to the game.
NorthPointe Christian Achieves Historic Division 4 Win
Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian made school history by winning the Lower Peninsula Division 4 Finals at Katke Golf Course. The team's victory came in a tightly contested match, where they edged out Lansing Catholic by just one stroke. The win marks the first state title for the program.
The team was led by first-year head coach Myrna Duflo, whose daughter, freshman Izzy Duflo, was the team's top golfer. Izzy Duflo finished fourth individually with a two-day total of 166. The team posted a score of 374 on Friday and 371 on Saturday under challenging, wet weather conditions.
Challenging Weather Conditions
The final round on Saturday was significantly impacted by weather. Originally scheduled for a 10 a.m. start, it was moved to 9 a.m. to avoid forecasted rain. However, heavy rains still caused a delay, with play ultimately beginning at 11 a.m. on a soggy course.
Coach Duflo credited the players for the achievement. "It’s awesome. It’s very surreal. I’m still in a little bit of shock about it," she said. "They did the hard work – I just encouraged them throughout the day."
Team Cohesion a Key Factor
Players highlighted the importance of team support and unity. Senior Kezia Beeke explained that the team's close bond was a significant factor in their success, especially during the difficult final round.
"I just think that encouragement and just knowing our team is so bonded... we really just pushed through and we were able to win," Beeke stated. "That’s what I think makes our team such a good team is because we can love each other well and support each other no matter what happens on the course."
The Mustangs' other scoring players included Natalie Kent, who finished eighth, Aila Ellis (196), and Clara Velting (204). The team's performance represents a step up from last season, where they finished as the state runner-up.
McCubbins' Persistence Pays Off in Division 4 Individual Title
For Napoleon senior Anna McCubbins, the fourth time at the state finals was the charm. After several top finishes in previous years, she secured her first individual championship with a dominant performance, shooting a two-day total of 155 (79-76). Her score was five strokes clear of the next competitor.
McCubbins, who will play for Saginaw Valley State University, had steadily improved her finals placement over her high school career. She tied for 11th as a freshman and finished seventh in both her sophomore and junior seasons.
A Gesture of Sportsmanship
Before the final round, Anna McCubbins demonstrated notable sportsmanship. When a Montague golfer discovered her clubs were missing, McCubbins loaned her own driver to her competitor during warmups on the driving range.
Reflecting on her victory, McCubbins expressed deep satisfaction. "Seriously, I’ve dreamed about this moment at least four times," she said. "It’s just such a crazy, surreal experience. Just happy tears, honestly."
She attributed her success to a strong mental game, especially given the poor weather. "Golf, it’s such a mental game. Just have a good, mental state the entire day. Stay calm," McCubbins explained. "I think that’s what gave me an advantage."
Northville's Experience Leads to Dominant Division 1 Repeat
In the Division 1 Final at The Meadows at Grand Valley State, Northville's experience was on full display. The team captured its second straight state title and sixth in the last eight years with a commanding 29-stroke victory over runner-up Macomb Dakota.
Northville finished with a team score of 643, while Macomb Dakota posted a 672. The team, which returned most of its roster from the previous year's championship run, was ranked No. 1 in Division 1 throughout the season.
Coach Kate Schultz, herself a former state champion for Northville, emphasized the team's depth and focus. "We're proud that we're a deep team," Schultz said. "They know what they have to do, and I knew they would handle putting more pressure on themselves."
Top Performers Fuel Victory
The Mustangs placed three golfers in the top seven. Junior Naaz Gill finished fourth with a score of 154, while sophomores McKenzie Stevens and Cam Baker tied for seventh with 158s. This depth was a critical component of their commanding win.
Players noted that their previous championship experience helped them manage the pressure of repeating. "We were excited to win last year, and we weren't nervous about being back," said McKenzie Stevens. "We took pressure as an opportunity to do better than we did last year."
Schultz shared the team's competitive mindset. "We always tell the girls to play like we're five shots behind," she said. "We tell them not to take the pedal off the metal, that every shot counts."
Flavin's Mental Fortitude Earns Division 1 Individual Crown
The Division 1 individual title was won by Plymouth senior Annie Flavin, a three-time all-state golfer who had not previously finished higher than sixth at the finals. Flavin shot a two-day total of 148 (71-77) to claim the top spot.
Flavin, who is considering focusing on a business degree in college, said the key to her victory was a significant improvement in her mental toughness and on-course strategy.
"I have more of a mental mindset now. It's more positive, which has helped me," Flavin explained. "I can't really pinpoint anything other than it's just mental with me."
She described her development as learning to "slow the game down" and make better decisions on the course. This refined approach allowed her to finally achieve her long-held goal of winning a state championship in her final high school season.
