Lauren Tolliver chipped in from 120 yards out for a birdie after hitting her driver into the water and then a tree during a key dual meet against Grosse Ile. The St. Mary Catholic Central senior’s calm under pressure helped her land Monroe County Region Girls Golfer of the Year honors after a steady season that saw her lead the Kestrels to multiple titles.
Tolliver’s golf journey began just before high school, when she started playing with her grandfather, Jerry Marcero, at Sandy Creek Golf Course. “I learned from my Papa,” she said. “We would go out every Sunday. He was really big into it. He used to be the manager out there for a long time.” Those Sunday afternoons taught her not only swing mechanics but also the mental game. “He taught me a lot about the mental part of it – how to be able to stay positive,” she said.
That mental strength was evident throughout her senior season. Tolliver maintained remarkable scoring consistency, shooting every 9-hole round between 42 and 46, and recorded all but two 18-hole rounds between 85 and 88. Her best individual achievement came at the Huron League finals, where she carded a season-best 85 to win medalist honors by a single stroke over Flat Rock’s Elyse Rogier. The meet took place at Sandy Creek, the same course where she first fell in love with the game. Her grandfather made a surprise visit at the end of the day, adding a personal touch to her accomplishment.
Tolliver’s efforts helped SMCC capture both the Monroe County Championship and the Huron League title. The Kestrels tied for first in the regional meet but lost on a tiebreaker, finishing 10th at the state tournament. She was third individually at the regional level. “I am really happy to win the league and the county,” she said. “We fell short at regionals, but I am glad we did well at state.” All five SMCC players improved their scores from the first day to the second at state, with Tolliver shaving three strokes off her initial round.
Her approach to golf relies on focusing shot by shot rather than the overall score. “I don’t even check scores throughout the match. I just make sure to focus on one shot at a time,” she said. “You’re going to have bad shots and bad holes. What makes golfers great is making great recoveries.” That mindset was on display in the Grosse Ile meet, where after double misfortune, Tolliver calmly chipped in for birdie.
Before golf, Tolliver was a volleyball player, but golf quickly became her main sport. “After my freshman year, I just loved golf so much. I started to play all the time and indoor in the winter. My game improved so much,” she said. Her grandfather’s influence helped her develop not just skills but resilience.
Tolliver also plays softball as SMCC’s starting shortstop. She credits golf with helping her focus in softball after being cut from her travel team, which freed up her summer for golf practice. “That was a good thing. It gave me a lot more room for golf,” she said. She continues softball in the spring but prioritizes golf during her high school season.
Despite her success on the golf course, Tolliver does not plan to play college golf. She intends to study nursing and balance her academic goals with occasional rounds alongside her grandfather. “I don’t plan to play golf in college,” she said. “But I will find time for some rounds with Papa.”
Lauren Tolliver is the daughter of Leah and Nicholas Tolliver of Newport. Her season’s achievements and award as Monroe County Region Girls Golfer of the Year were first reported by The Monroe News.
According to Yahoo Sports.
