I’d like you to meet two very goal-oriented, mentally tough lassies who have distinguished themselves on the Michigan high school golf scene:



Danielle “Dani” Staskowski, a junior at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep who won the Division 3 individual state title for the second year in a row.

Shannon Kennedy, of Bloomfield Hills Marian, who won the Division 2 individual trophy – and she’s only a ninth-grader.

For 16-year-old Dani, winning another state title lacked the drama of the first one, but demanded as much grit. She methodically shot par both days, 72-72, for an 8-stroke victory at Michigan State’s challenging Forest Akers West.

A year earlier, on the Bedford Valley course in Battle Creek, Dani led off the second round bogeying the first four holes to fall two strokes behind the lead. Gathering her wits, she shot a three-under par over the remaining 14 holes to force a playoff — which she won by sinking a 4-foot putt.

Dani credits Jason Novetsky, a sport psychology/mental toughness coach in Birmingham. “He helps me a lot to handle stress, to be successful.”

A petite 5-foot-4, Dani plays golf year-round, competitively since she was 11, practicing at the Oakhurst Country Club across from the family’s home in Clarkston, or during inclement weather, in a golf simulator in the living room. She meets often with her swing coach, Jason Guss, in Lansing.

She’s had to pause a couple of times in her routine. She missed several months three years ago when she fractured a rib from overuse. Ironically, “I realized how much I love the game,” Dani said.

Last winter season, she pledged to hit 7,000 balls, but had to take a break after 5,000 with tendinitis in her wrist. “This winter I’ll hit about 60 balls a day and practice putting in the basement,” Dani said. “I love the competition, the intensity of golf. I want to see how far I can take my golf.”

After her prep days, Dani will take her talent on the links to Central Michigan University, where she’s already made a commitment. Beyond that, perhaps a professional career.

Shannon faced a predicament similar to Dani’s heading into the second round at Bedford Valley, turning in a 76 on the first day of the Division 2 final.

“We figured she’d need to shoot five strokes better for a chance to win,” said her Marian co-coach, Cathie Fritz.

Powered by her booming 275-yard drives and “unbelievable” putting, Shannon shot a 37 on the front nine and 33 on the back – finishing the last five holes par-birdie-birdie-par-birdie – for a 2-under 70 to clinch a three-stroke victory.

“That kind of nerve and aptitude is amazing for a 14-year-old,” Fritz said. “She’s a fascinating athlete.”

A rangy, slender 5-feet-8, Shannon has played travel hockey for 10 years, some of the time on boys’ teams, CYO basketball and track at St. Regis, and this winter is playing basketball at Marian.

“She didn’t focus on golf until after middle school,” Fritz said. This past summer, she practiced up to eight hours a day at Oakland Hills, under the tutelage of Dave Van Loozen. “It was push-push-push.”

What motivates Shannon? “You’re never perfect. You always try to get better.”



Both girls are popular among their team- and school mates.

“Dani is fierce and focused on the golf course, but also sweet and humble,” said her coach, Kyle Lilek. “She’s very willing to help out teammates by giving them tips and tricks and playing in practice rounds with them.”

About Shannon, Fritz said, “Everyone adores her. I would equate her personality with Meg Mallon’s.” Mallon, a 1981 grad of Farmington Hills Mercy and the greatest golfer to come out of the CHSL, was recently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Contact Don Horkey at [email protected].