The varsity golf team redeemed itself when they advanced to the state finals with a third place finish at regionals on Thursday, June 9.
‘It’s real good for the kids,? varsity head coach Terry Kelley said when asked about his players feeling redeemed from last season’s disappointing regional results. ‘They kind of played with that on their backs all year, and to have that lifted is cool.?
Playing at Flushing Valley Country Club, the Wildcats finished with a score of 311, two strokes behind second place Traverse City and six strokes behind regional champion Davison. Nick Hocker and Nolan Chapman led the Wildcats with a 76 while Doug Piesko shot a 78.
Both Josh Hosking and J.J. Lewis shot an 81 for Oxford.
‘It was pretty keen competition, everyone was real close together,? Kelley said. ‘Out of the 20 teams there, probably a dozen of them were 320 or better, which is pretty tight.?
The course conditions weren’t ideal for Oxford, but they were able to make the best of them.
‘It was a tight course, it’s not the type of course that show’s our kids game,? he said. ‘It was just a tough golf course. It was very tight, a lot of trees, dog legs, small greens that was like trying to hit a table (that) didn’t hold either. It was challenging.?
Kelley said parts of the golf course had to be played as a lateral hazard due to the course not being mowed because of the rainy spring.
‘Yeah, you get a drop out of that, but it still cost you a stroke,? Kelley said.
Division one state finals will be held at Oakland University’s Katke-Cousins Golf Course on Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18. The winning team will be determined after two 18-hole rounds.
Kelley admits this course will suit his team’s style better, even though they have not played there before.
‘It’s more open, it’s longer, but the kids are pretty long,? he said. ‘It’s scoreable, especially if you are long off the tee, which my kids are.?