Emmy Burling leads Hudson girls golf through torrid first half of season
Excellent play from Emmy Burling and a balanced lineup enabled the Hudson girls golf team to defeat league rival Nordonia.
After a huge 2022 campaign, the Explorers are continuing strong play this season by virtue of a critical 164-171 victory over defending Suburban League National Conference champion Nordonia at the Country Club of Hudson Aug. 31.
Burling beat some standout players in the action with a round of 37.
“Emmy had three birdies to be the medalist,” said head coach Bobby Bolin.
Some of those standouts that Burling defeated were her own teammates, but Nordonia still has loads of firepower left from last year, including league Player of The Year Julia Gulla and Brooke Barnes.
In the cation, Burling beat Barnes, who carded a 38, and Gulla, who had a 40.
Explorer senior Sherry Du, the 2021 Suburban League Player of the Year, carded a 41 against Nordonia as did freshman Elena Varga.
Bolin also received support from sophomore McKenna Kiewatt and junior Julia Van Bokkelen, who each turned in a 45.
Senior Ellie Davis, a co-captain with Du, also added a 47.
“We play in one of the best golf leagues in the state so there is plenty of competition,” said Bolin. “Nordonia had an amazing team and won the conference last year. Julia Gulla is one of the absolute best players in Northeast Ohio and Brooke Barnes is a solid contributor. They will have a young team but Coach (Greg) Harris will have them ready when it counts.”
“Stow returns sisters Gabby and Olivia Berlingieri, two talented players who will lead,” added Bolin. “Sophia Thompson has shown a lot of improvement. Stow will be a contender.”
Both Du and Burling have made first team All-Suburban multiple times. In addition, Van Bokkelen was a second-team all-league choice in 2022.
“Solon is a new addition to the league and Serena Wu will be one of the best players in the league,” offered Bolin, whose club has won the first two league tournaments this year.
“North Royalton is continuously building and have a very balanced team coming off a district tournament appearance,” the coach added. “Brecksville, Wadsworth, and Twinsburg each have some talent coming up. Our goal is to win the conference this year and we will be working hard to accomplish that.”
Hudson placed fourth out of 18 teams at the Walsh Jesuit Invitational Aug. 28.
Rocky River Magnificat won the Walsh tourney 298-315 over powerful Medina Highland, Aurora 327, and Hudson 338.
Du was exceptional as she tied for fifth overall by firing a 76.
The Explorers finished ahead of quality team, from Walsh Jesuit, Stow, Canfield, Massillon Jackson, Medina, Nordonia, Strongsville and Green.
Burling added an 80, Van Bokkelen 89, Varga 93, and Davis, 94.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hudson girls golf roars through first month of season
