Zimmerman reflects on golf career, hole-in-one

Press Sports Editor
sports@presspublications.com

“Madison is one of the hardest workers on the team. She would go to the golf course before school to hit range balls as well as practice more after the team practice. She’s been a great role model for the younger girls, and we’re definitely going to miss her next year.”
Those were the words Genoa golf coach Kaitlyn Scurlock used to describe Madison Zimmerman.
The Comet senior recently achieved an incredible feat when she hit a hole-in-one on No. 2 at Eagle’s Landing Golf Club at the Ottawa County Tournament earlier this month – a memory she’ll have for the rest of her life. (She also won the tournament.)
“I had just watched her play the first hole, and as she was walking to No. 2, I was checking in with her. After checking in, I drove away, and then I got a text from Madison saying she just got a hole-in-one,” said Scurlock. “I was so upset that I missed it, but I was so excited for her.”
Zimmerman, a district qualifier, talked about the shot.
“I started off well and saw that (the hole) was a par three. I used my pitching wedge to get the hole-in-one,” she said. “It was 107 yards away, I used one of my Callaway golf balls. I got up to the tee box and right from the start, I knew it was going to be a good shot because I got the ‘click’ off the golf ball. It was just the perfect amount (of spin) where it rolled in, right to left, and my ball went in the hole. I thought, it’s going to be a good shot for sure. We were able to see the ball drop in. It was really cool.
“I’ve gotten a two-and-a-hole before. I wasn’t the best at par threes, I would end up hitting the ball to the fringe of the green,” she said.
Zimmerman earned second-team honors in the Northern Buckeye Conference, which Otsego won, 47-43, over Genoa. Lynne Hartman also earned second-team honors and Madi Mahler was a first-team selection. Sadie Huston and Karissa Romaker were named honorable mention while Vedah Burdge served as an important member of the varsity. “I'm incredibly proud of how much the team has grown this year. Finishing second at NBCs is a huge achievement, especially when you consider that last year we were third. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of these girls, and it shows just how much potential they have,” said Scurlock. “We have a younger team now, with mostly sophomores and freshmen, so I’m really excited to see how they’ll continue to develop over the next few seasons.”
Scurlock discussed the growth of the program.
“The team has grown in numbers too, with 10 players this year compared to just seven last year. For the first time, we even had enough girls to field a JV team, which is an exciting milestone for our program,” said Scurlock. “This growth isn’t just about numbers, it’s about the improvement in their game and the culture we’re building. I’m looking forward to watching these girls grow both individually and as a team, and I’m optimistic about the future of the program as we continue to build on this success.”
Zimmerman has thoroughly enjoyed her time golfing.
“I have really, really enjoyed it. I had a cousin on the team last year, and a cousin on the team this year. It’s so much like a family, and it’s a lot of fun. I enjoy the practices all the time,” she said. “I’m super excited for the banquet. A lot of people on the golf team are on the cheer team, and I am, too. I hang out with them all the time.”
Zimmerman, who is also part of the cheerleading team for the fall and winter sports as well as competitions, is planning to attend Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. It is a small, private, Christian liberal arts college with 4,900 students.
Zimmerman also maintains a 4.3 GPA, good for first in her class. She takes post-secondary courses at Owens Community College.