Plantz Off to Calvin University For Golf
Andrea Plantz during a golf match at Candlestone.
Andrea Plantz has officially committed to continue her golf career at Calvin University, staying close to home as she takes the next step at the collegiate level in Grand Rapids.
For Plantz, golf was not something she grew up dreaming about. It started simply because her dad loved the game. What began as tagging along with a set of clubs turned into summers spent in junior league at Arrowhead, where golf became a way for her and her dad to bond. Her older brother Celso played casually, but it was not until high school that Andrea began to see golf as something more.
That turning point came during her freshman year, when her school hosted regionals. Assigned to watch every shot of another competitor, Plantz took the role seriously. The pressure of the day, the quiet support from teammates, and seeing everyone perform at their best reshaped how she viewed the sport.
“I never took it serious until freshman year of high school,” Plantz said. “That was the year we hosted regionals and that is when everything changed when golf was more than just a sport. I wanted to be the best.”
Motivated by that experience, Plantz committed herself to the offseason grind with one clear goal in mind: earning a varsity spot. That work paid off, and she became a consistent contributor throughout her senior season.
During her final year, Plantz posted a series of steady varsity scores, particularly in nine hole competition. She opened the season with a 42 at the Greenville Jamboree at Brookside and followed it with rounds of 46 at Cedar Springs, 43 at Kenowa Hills, and 44 at Sparta. On her home course at Arrowhead during the Lowell Jamboree, she carded a 46. In 18 hole events, she recorded an 89 at the Kent County Classic, an 82 at the TK Invitational, and a 90 at the Ranger Invitational, showing her ability to compete across longer tournament formats.
While the scores tell part of the story, Plantz says it was the team environment that made her high school career special. Bus rides, shared tee boxes during backed up tournaments, and constant laughter defined the experience as much as the competition.
“I had countless favorite moments with my teammates especially on the bus rides, or when it would get so backed up we would see each other on the tee boxes while everyone else was complaining we were always cracking jokes,” she said.
One moment in particular stands out. During a practice finisher, her coach randomly selected a player to sing karaoke in front of the course. With ten girls on the team, Plantz did not expect to be chosen. Her name was drawn, and the song selected by her teammates was “Die With a Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga. Singing over a loudspeaker for the entire course, she did not even make it through the song before the team finished the drill.
As she prepares to join the Knights, Plantz brings with her a strong work ethic, consistent varsity experience, and a genuine love for the game that grew from family, teammates, and shared moments on the course. For Calvin University, they are gaining a golfer who understands that success is built not only through scores, but through commitment, resilience, and enjoying the journey along the way.
