Lutheran North claims first state girls golf title

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Macomb Lutheran North girls golf is back on top of the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Division 3.

On Oct. 15 at Michigan State University’s Forest Akers East, Lutheran North — which has 11-straight state finals appearances — took first place in the MHSAA Division 3 girls golf state championship. Lutheran North bested second-place Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood by six strokes.

It has been exactly five years since Lutheran North won a state championship under coach Lori Gill, and Gill, who serves as an assistant coach for Lutheran North this year, is a champion once more.

“I get to stand on the shoulder of her and enjoy this, and I’m thankful she was able to be there and enjoy it,” second-year Lutheran North coach Alex Schlump said.

Lutheran North was led by back-to-back Division 3 individual state champion Lauren Timpf, who shot a 70 and 72 on days one and two, respectively. Timpf, a junior, was the only golfer across all divisions in the state to shoot an under-par score.

Timpf said it was extra special to win it as a team this year.

“It was definitely a lot more fun with the team because we all can experience it together, and that (individual championship) was just a fun bonus,” Timpf said.

Lutheran North beat Cranbrook Kingswood by seven strokes in the Region 18 championship at Flint Elks Golf Course on Oct. 3 behind top-ten finishes from Timpf (first), sophomore Saige Rothey (second), senior Aileen Cosentino (sixth), and freshman Gabby Cardenas (10th). Senior Mia Roe finished in 13th.

With weather conditions brutal during the state finals, Schlump said his team showed up when it mattered most.

“Everybody stepped up when it was the worst conditions we played in and the highest competition we faced,” Schlump said. “When they wanted to quit, they knew they couldn’t because of their teammates.”

Rothey was efficient at the state finals, finishing 13th in a field of over 100 golfers with a two-round score of 163.

Lutheran North and Cranbrook Kingswood entered day two of play tied, but the back nine proved to be the deciding factor for Lutheran North.

Rothey eagled on the back nine on day two as Lutheran North gained several strokes en route to the title. Cosentino finished 23rd with a two-round score of 171.

“I thought that was a great position to be in going into the second day not thinking that we had it, but going in knowing we had to work our best to beat them,” Timpf said.

Timpf, who will be a senior next year, will look for her third-straight individual state championship. Timpf won by seven strokes this year after winning by 14 strokes in 2021.

“She has the strongest mental game out of any athlete in the school and any athlete competing this weekend, and that translates to her work ethic,” Schlump said. “She just gets in the zone and performs better when people would succumb to it.”

With Roe and Cosentino set to graduate, Lutheran North will return three starters from its championship-winning team.

North golfers have one thing on their mind for next season.

“The ultimate goal is to win the state again,” Timpf said.