Kamryn Shannon of Michigan Center High School earned a state golf title on Saturday at Forest Akers West Golf Course with a 74. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
Golf instructor Steven Saari told anyone who would listen that Michigan Center High School golfer Kamryn Shannon would win a state title before she graduated.
She just decided to do it a year early.
Shannon won the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 state individual title on Saturday at Forest Akers West Golf Course. She finished with a 2-over-par 74 to win by one stroke over Jacquelyn O’Neil of Harbor Springs.
The low score helped the Cardinals finish third as a team with a four-man total of 371. About the only thing that didn’t go right for Shannon was the Cardinals missed earning a runner-up trophy by one stroke.
A somewhat angry and emotional Shannon took to Forest Akers West in quest of a championship on Saturday.
“I was irritated because my handicapped grandfather was not allowed to take a cart and watch me play today,” Shannon said. “I know he is going to be proud of me.”
Bob Shannon, her grandfather, is part of her triangle of golf influences for the MCHS junior. Bob Shannon helped her get started in the game just over two years ago; Saari – the director of golf and head professional at the Grande Golf Course – is her swing coach; and Cara Brown is the high school coach at MCHS.
Grandfather watched all of her matches this year, but the MHSAA did not allow carts for spectators or media due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Shannon – the high school golfer – shot a pair of 37s with three birdies and five bogeys.
“Working hard every day has paid off,” Shannon said. “As a team, we spent a lot of time playing in as many summer tournaments as possible.
“I played tournaments two to three days per week this summer.”
MCHS golfers Sydney Cramer, Savana Stewart, and Baylee Carlisle finished with 99s for the Cardinals.
Lumen Christi finished 13th as a team with a total of 409 and Hanover-Horton was 18th with 447.
Ashley Hilderley finished with an 89 to lead the Titans and Kassidy Alexander shot a 97 for the Comets. Hillsdale individual qualifier Melanie Foust shot a 97 and Rory Mericle of East Jackson High School finished with a 102.
Sydnie Redovich of Western High School shot an 88 at the MHSAA Division 3 state golf final at Forest Akers East Golf Course on Saturday. The junior was an individual qualifier for the Panthers.
