Sports

Farmington High Girls Golf Team Makes First State Tourney Appearance

The Falcons varsity team celebrates being one of only 16 teams to play in the season-ending tournament.

Six years ago, Farmington High School formed its own girls' golf team, splitting from a unified team that also included Harrison and North Farmington high schools. 

This year, for the first time, the Falcons qualified for a trip to the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Division 2 state tournament, held Oct. 19 and 20 on The Meadows golf course at Grand Valley State University. And while they didn't finish well, coach Dennis Zaleski said just getting there was quite an accomplishment. 

For one thing, they got farther than the Harrison-North Farmington team, which didn't qualify for state competition. 

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"Little sister did better than big sister," Zaleski said Tuesday, the day after the team celebrated its year-end banquet at Brass Pointe restaurant in Farmington Hills. "They really jelled as a team." 

Farmington finished last in state competition, but Zaleski said he told his players to "just go out and have fun". The course was tough, he said, and the other teams included top-notch players. Muskegon Mona Shores won the tournament. 

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Of the seven Falcon golfers, Zaleski pointed to seniors Julia Palaian and Megan Wiltsie and junior Courtney Cole as team stand-outs. Palaian and Wiltsie, who have been with the team since their freshman year, are the only two graduates. 

During the year, the team seemed to play better in 18-hole events than 9-hole events, Zaleski said. Over the summer, the girls progressed, but then lost some ground when school started, and they had to balance academics and other activities. 

"I think the girls realize you have to put in the work," Zaleski said. Looking ahead to next year, he added, "the girls are really excited." 


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