After a one-year absence, the Lake Orion girls golf squad is headed back to the state tournament, and they will be among the favorites at the Forest Akers West Course on the campus of Michigan State University June 1-2.
The #3 Dragons team score of 353 was just three strokes behind #4 Grand Blanc and eight better than #5 Traverse City West in tough conditions at Boulder Pointe in Oxford last Thursday.
The top three teams from each region qualify for the state tournament.
Top-ranked Rochester, who the Dragons beat out for the OAA I crown, was moved a week before the regional to the Troy site in an effort to balance the regions. The Falcons advanced to states as well.
The Dragons, playing on their home course, were led by individual medalist Darby Peters? 77. Grand Blanc’s Megan Bauer was second with a 78, followed by LO’s Britney Hamilton, who shot 81.
Only nine players broke 90 on the day.
‘The front nine was really tough,? Peters said. ‘It started raining for a few holes.?
Peters noted that her extra layers made full backswings impossible and she went through about 10 hand-warmers.
The tough conditions tested the physical and mental durability of all the players in the field.
‘I just said to them that the team with the most patience and the best strategy would prevail,? Dragons Coach Megan Daly said.
Daly was awarded Regional Coach of the Year after the tournament.
‘I knew what clubs to hit off the tees and everything like that,? Peters added. ‘I had a general idea of where the pins were going to be.?
Maggie Hughes (92) and Megan Clemence (103) rounded out the Dragons scoring, as the team played with only four players, instead of five, as they have for much of the season.
‘It’s extra pressure because all four of our scores count, no matter what,? Peters said.
Peters will return to the state meet after shooting 72-75 last year on the Forest Akers East Course, where she placed second. Hamilton placed ninth last year.
The tournament moves from the east course to the west course this year, which will be a bigger challenge.
‘It’s a lot harder,? Daly said of the west course. ‘I think it will be really exciting. I hope the weather is better.?