Less than two years after losing most of a state title team, the girls? golf program at Lake Orion High School is getting back on solid ground.
Senior Maggie Hughes, the only returning player from that team, earned the rare distinction of team captain this year.
‘She’s a leader on the course and off the course,? said Coach Megan Daly, who noted she typically doesn’t have team captains.
‘Maggie’s just the consummate high school kid,? she added.
Alex Grassi, also a senior, is the team’s only other returning player.
‘She’s improved dramatically,? Daly said. ‘She’s a natural athlete, so she’s very easy to coach.?
New to the varsity squad are juniors Alyssa Mason and Gabriella Hodge, freshman Maddie McClean and sophomore Vanessa Boswell, a transfer from Cincinnati.
‘It’s a learning curve for four of them because this is their first varsity experience,? Daly said.
The team fell to Clarkston and sits sixth in the OAA Red after their first league tournament.
‘I know in that OAA Tournament that Alyssa, Gabriella, Vanessa and Maddie were all very nervous,? Daly said.
‘All four of them will be good players,? she added. ‘They have a lot of potential.?
The key now, according to the coach, is to gain some experience, especially in competitive settings.
‘We can always improve our short game,? Daly said. ‘If you do that, you can leapfrog a lot of teams.?
Rochester and Stoney Creek appear to be the front-runners for the league title. Rochester, which finished second in the state to Grand Blanc last year and third behind LO and Grand Blanc the spring prior, features the Meier sisters. Daly said Stoney Creek features a dynamic sophomore/freshman combination that could be tough to beat, however.
The Dragons hope to improve as the season progresses, and could make some noise at the later OAA events.
‘My goal is to make it fun for them and make them lifelong players,? Daly noted.
Daly said the program, which has a total of 11 players on their varsity and JV teams, is always looking to add more talent. She is surprised by how few girls are playing the sport at the high school level.
‘With all the courses in the area, that’s a little mystifying,? she said.
The team is playing this season at a new home course, Fieldstone in Auburn Hills.
Daly can be reached via e-mail at mdaly@lakeorion.k12.mi.us.