Golf

Bentley finishes second in state golf, eyes state championship

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Columbia Central High School golfer Logan Bentley watches her putt head toward the hole during the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 state finals on Saturday at The Meadows Golf Course.


Photo, story by Jeff Steers
Exponent special writer

Columbia Central High School golfer Logan Bentley said a month ago she could finish in the top three in the state golf tournament.

On Saturday she backed up that claim.

Bentley shot rounds of 78 and 72 to finish second in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 finals at The Meadows on the campus of Grand Valley State University.

Her even-par round of 72 on Saturday was the best round of the tournament. Golfers were met by cold, rainy, and windy conditions at the state meet.

Bentley said she could have gone lower on Saturday.

I had eight, eight-foot putts for birdies, but none of them fell,” Bentley said. “I could have definitely gone under 68.”

She started the tournament with a triple bogey en route to a 78 on Friday.

I have to start stronger and not shoot 78 on the first day if I want to win a state title,” Bentley said. “I didn’t think about my shots.

But I fixed my problems overnight.”

The Golden Eagles went from non-qualifiers last year to seventh in the state in 2022.

I am really proud of our team . . . we worked really hard this season,” Bentley said.

Columbia Central finished second in the Independent Golf League – behind Lenawee Christian who finished second in the state.

Bentley finished as the medalist in the league with a 38.4 average – based on jamboree and final event scores.

Bentley felt like she was in a “slump” this season – especially with her driver.

But the sophomore has high expectations.

It is difficult to explain because everyone is telling you how great you played,” Bentley said. “I guess I am never going to measure up to my expectations.

My driving has been a struggle all season.”

As a freshman, Bentley finished ninth last year in the Division 4 tournament at Forest Akers East. She finished with rounds of 79 and 88 to finish with 167.

This year she shot 150.

Winning a state title was one of my goals this season, but I didn’t think much about it,” Bentley said. “I have to eliminate the bad shots if I want to be a state champion.

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