Lake Orion has high hopes for its girls golf squad this season, but first they have to get out on the course.
If all goes according to plan, the team will play a couple of competitive rounds this week.
‘We need the weather to cooperate,? noted Coach Megan Daly, who is in her third year at the helm.
When the players do get out on the course, they’ll be led by a one-two punch that could be the state’s best. Seniors Darby Peters and Britney Hamilton both finished in the top 10 at the state tournament last year.
Hamilton has signed with Western Michigan and Peters is headed to Eastern Michigan and awaiting their scholarship offer, according to Daly.
The two went to Lansing last year as individuals, as the team narrowly missed out on qualifying.
Daly, who guided the team to a seventh place finish two years ago at the state finals said getting back there is the top priority.
‘We have the toughest regional in the state,? she said. ‘We’re going to have to play really well to get to states.?
The team will have the benefit of hosting a regional competition at Boulder Pointe, their home course in Oxford.
In addition to being familiar with the course, playing at home will also prevent the wear and tear of recent regional trips to Mount Pleasant and Traverse City.
Senior Meghan Clemence, sophomore Maggie Hughes and junior Lauren Mihalak will likely occupy spots three through five in Daly’s lineup, with the sixth spot up for grabs.
Like Hamilton and Peters, Clemence and Hughes played varsity last season.
‘We’ll have to lean on all four of them,? Daly said. ‘We’re not going to be able to have any bad days.?
Daly said depth was her biggest concern coming into the season. She has been impressed, however, with improvement in some of the younger players.
Hughes, for example, gave up playing basketball this past season to put her energy into golf.
‘She’s really been focusing on her game,? Daly said.
The team will get a chance to see where they stand this weekend at the Grosse Ile Invite.
‘We’ll definitely get a good look on Saturday because some of the state’s top teams are going to be there,? Daly said.