Rochester Hills Stoney Creek sophomore Matthew Sypniewski hits a tee shot at the Lakeland Invitational at Katke Golf Course May 14.
By: Jonathan Szczepaniak | Rochester Post | Published June 10, 2022
ROCHESTER HILLS — While Rochester Hills Stoney Creek High School failed to qualify for states as a team, one sophomore made a significant stride to earn his first state finals appearance.
Stoney Creek sophomore Matthew Sypniewski shot a 73 at Twin Lakes Golf Course June 1 to qualify for the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division I State Championship.
Sypniewski previously played Twin Lakes on May 25 in the Oakland Activities Association-White league meet and was dominant, shooting a 74 and leading Stoney Creek to a first-place finish.
Sypniewski continued that trend at regionals, providing an impressive outing with his putter en route to a 73.
“I felt like I really had my putting that day,” Sypniewski said. “I struggled with it throughout the season, but it seemed like everything was clicking that day.”
Sypniewski fell just short of qualifying for states last season, scoring a 78 and placing eighth at Fieldstone Golf Club.
Stoney Creek coach Anthony Lafferty said Sypniewski has been prepared for regionals since the start of the season.
“Matt has had regionals as a target from the beginning of the season for both the team and as an individual,” Lafferty said. “He’s been helping to push the team to perform their best, and we’ve come a long way since the beginning of the season.”
Lafferty, in his first year as coach for Stoney Creek, said Sypniewski has taken a significant step forward in one aspect of his game.
“Getting to know him throughout this season, it became apparent that Matt has assumed a leadership role on the team and was very focused on the team’s overall performance,” Lafferty said.
Sypniewski will compete at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division I State Finals at Ferris State University’s Katke Golf Course.
Stoney Creek played Katke earlier this year, on May 14, as Sypniewski posted an 84, but Sypniewski said he’s more prepared for what the course has to throw at him.
“I feel like, honestly, playing it beforehand plays a lot into making decisions in the future,” Sypniewski said. “Looking at it now, I think I’m going to be smarter off the tee and not hit my driver as much.”
Sypniewski will compete at the state finals on June 10.
“I’ve never experienced something like this before, but at the same time, you’re going out there to represent the school,” Sypniewski said. “It’s a huge accomplishment as well.”