Gabby Finan makes Cougar golf history

By Jeff Malmgren, Times Staff Writer

Gabby Finan became the first Kettle Run golfer in history to play in the VHSL Girls Open state meet. The freshman tied for 48th with a score of 188 in the two-day tournament at Springfield Golf Club on Oct. 23.

“Making states exceeded any expectations I had for myself,” Finan said. “I know I could’ve done much better, so I can’t wait for next season.”

She shot a 95 Monday and a 93 Tuesday to finish 44-over par. Her rounds included one birdie on the par-5 10th hole Monday, and she finished the meet with par on 12 holes.

Kettle Run freshman Gabby Finan showed she’s a golfer on the rise.

COURTESY PHOTO

Earlier this season, Finan helped Kettle Run win the Class 4 Northwestern District championship as a member of the six-player starting lineup. “Being a starter as a freshman and beating my brother have been two main goals of mine since third grade,” she said. “I’m still working on that second part.”

Austin Finan was Kettle Run’s No. 1 golfer in 2015 as a senior.

“I’ve watched her since sixth grade, so knew she would be good, but I didn’t know she would mature as a golfer this quick,” Cougars coach Dale Edwards said.

Finan qualified for the girls state meet this season via a Zone Qualifier on Oct. 18 at Bowling Green Country Club. She tied for third with a round of 74, only five strokes behind champion Sydney Hackett of Rock Ridge.

A Kettle Run teammate, Payton Fiel, tied for 13th at the Zone Qualifier with a round of 94 with Harper Crater shooting 107 to tie for 22nd and Lauren Leonard shooting a 109 to tie for 24th.

For Liberty, Julia Gleason finished 18th with a 99 and Emily Markley shot 103 to tie for 20th.