Athens’ Ava Weeks earns regional golf title, places 20th at state finals

TROY — A staple of Troy Athens golf throughout her four-year career, senior Ava Weeks earned an incredible achievement Oct. 10 at the Stony Creek Metropark Golf Course.

Against a field of 49 golfers in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Region 4 Championship, Weeks shot a 77 to become the regional champion.

Weeks earned regional runner-up last season and had finished in the top 10 all four years with back-to-back sixth-place finishes her freshman and sophomore years, but she was finally able to get it done.

“She’s just been a phenomenal golfer to have,” Athens coach Dan Cooper said. “This was the most fun year I can remember in a long time. We had such a great team, and she was the leader and the captain.”

Weeks, a two-time all-State honoree, qualified for the MHSAA Division 1 State Finals with the win, where she placed in the top 20 the past two years, earning 15th and 18th, respectively.

On Oct. 21 at Forest Akers West in East Lansing, Weeks fought off the rain to earn another top 20 finish, placing 20th.

Weeks was the master of consistency throughout the two-day tournament, shooting an 84 both days.

While Weeks will no longer be able to make an impact on the course for Athens, Cooper said her leadership will have a lasting impression on the team.

“She made sure that everybody was treated equally and evenly, and if someone needed help, she was right there,” Cooper said. “Probably the best captain I can remember in 15 years, and this is my 19th year.”

Weeks plans to play collegiate golf at Northwood University.