The Clarkston girls? golf team, after an eighth-place finish in the state look to make good on their last season, played in the spring. The golfers will be moving to the fall in 2007-?08, while the boys? golf team will move to the spring.
Coach Larry Sherrill will have a young team this year, anchored by third-year varsity players Ashley Blanc and fellow junior Minjoo Lee.
‘I’m going to expect a lot. They have all the experience. They know what it’s like’and they understand that. They’re showing the girls? examples,? Sherrill said.
‘That’s why it’s going to be important for the other girls to come along quickly to make a strong team.?
The team will be relying on Lee early on, Sherrill said, because beside her and Blanc, the remainder of the team is new to the varsity level. The 2006 Wolves team had six players on the roster with at least one year of varsity experience.
‘We have a lot of potential, but it depends on what we do in the next couple of weeks,? Sherrill said during pre-season practice.
Last year’s second-place OAA team made it to the state finals with a concentrated team effort, without a superstar. The same is needed this season, Sherrill said.
The girls got a late start because of less than favorable weather conditions.
‘That’s the problem with spring practices, but everyone is in the same boat,? Sherrill said.
‘You can only do so much, but we’re fortunate to have a dome like (Mulligan’s), because you can’t duplicate any outdoor conditions.?
The season switch, handed down by the Michigan High School Athletic Association two weeks ago, will be helpful to the girls, Sherrill said, but harmful to the boys.
‘The level of play will go up for the girls because serious players will be playing during the summer, but it will hurt the boys. It’s tough to get (players) out on the courses (in the spring).?
The nearly year-and-a-half-long layoff for the boys could be detrimental also, he said, but things should work themselves out.
‘After we do it for 2-3 years, it won’t be any big deal. It’s just that first-year adjustment,? Sherrill said.
Their first match was scheduled for Tuesday at Rochester. April 24, the girls will go to the Oakland County Tournament at Pontiac Country Club. Their first home meet at is April 26 at 3:20 p.m. at Oakhurst.