Hard Work Pushes Bentley to Succeed in Golf

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(September 26, 2021 8:00 AM) Columbia Central High School freshman Logan Bentley used to consider an 18-hole round under 100 a solid round. 

Today, 80 and under is the goal.

But improving by nearly 20 strokes in one calendar year is not easy. It takes a lot of work on the short game and mental control of the sometime frustrating sport of golf.

The CCHS freshman has seemed to master both.

Bentley earned medalist honors last Tuesday at the Independent Golf League finals at Lakeland Hills Golf Course with an 81.

When asked how she played Bentley said “bad” with a smile.

“It really doesn’t matter if I am medalist or not, it is all about how I shoot,” Bentley said. “That is all that matters.”

The 14-year-old golfer spent most of her summer playing in Callaway/Meijer Junior Tour events. She finished third in her age bracket – ages 13-15.

“You play on a lot harder golf courses and the players are advanced,” Bentley said. “Playing in 11 or 12 events over the summer gave me the experience of knowing who is out there (and the top players in Michigan high school golf).”

She also played in a number of Mercer Tour Jackson Junior Golf Tour events.

Bentley says she still expects herself and the team to get better – something that should be scary for anyone in the IGL. She was the medalist at all of the jamboree and helped her team finish second in most of the events.

CCHS finished second last Tuesday at the league meet to Lenawee Christian – the dominant team in the league. The Golden Eagles were only 10 strokes behind Lenawee Christian.

“I help my teammates a lot on the driving range,” Bentley said. “Sometimes they are getting upset and I will set my clubs aside and help them.”

The first-year high school golfer has lofty expectations heading into the regional meet and hopefully state finals.

“I shouldn’t shoot anything over 80 (for 18 holes),” Bentley said. “I have been more consistent with my putting and chipping.

“I have also learned to play smarter.”

Bentley has been playing golf for nearly half of her life thanks to the encouragement of her dad. She used to come out to the course, ride on the cart, and hit a few drives and putts.

She has found the love of the game since those early days.

In the classroom, Bentley maintains a 4.0 grade point average and hopes to play college golf.

Bentley said she would like to attend Michigan State University and study in the field of turf management, business, or something to do with golf.

Until then, she has plenty of time to improve her game and get noticed.