Oxford’s lady golfers took a giant step forward in their pursuit of a league crown when they comfortablely defeated Troy Athens on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
The Wildcats finished 24 strokes better than Athens, 185-209.
‘It was an important match for the kids,? varsity head coach Terry Kelley said. ‘It was a crucial one ? more than they think. They were up to it and played well.?
Leading the way for the Wildcats was Kyla Kurczewski with a 39. Emily Cleland shot a 47, Riley Hayes fired a 48 and Hannah Beebe rounded out the scoring with a 51.
Kelley said playing on the home course was definitely an advantage.
‘Home course advantage is probably a bigger determining factor more so in golf than any other sport than I can think of,? he said. ‘It definitely helped here.
The two teams split the previous two meetings with each other this season. At the Oakland County tournament on Monday, August 29, Troy Athens edged out the Wildcats for third place by three strokes.
Oxford returned the favor by finishing seven strokes ahead of Athens, 383-390, following the first Oakland Activities Association White division tournament on Wednesday, August 31.
Up next for the lady golfers is a date with Birmingham Groves on Tuesday, September 13.
According to Kelley, Groves defeated Athens by two strokes when Athens visited Groves earlier this year.
‘They will be somebody to reckon with. They have probably, along with Kyla (Kurczewski), the next best player in the league…she was a state qualifer on her own last year,? Kelley said.