Oxford’s boys varsity golf team has got the physical strength and skills to compete, but it’s the mental aspect of the game that needs work, according to Coach Terry Kelley.
Unfortunately, the team is off to a rocky start finishing 17th out of 20 at the Lapeer Tune-up Aug. 18 and 8th out of nine teams in the season’s first league tournament Aug. 21.
But Kelley remains optimistic.
‘I’ll be happy if we can finish in the top half of our league,? he said. ‘That’s one of our team goals for the season.?
‘There’s a lot of potential here,? Kelley explained. ‘It’s just a matter of maturing as golfers.?
Among his seven juniors, the coach said, ‘There’s considerable skill.? They just need to work on ‘how to think your way around a golf course.?
Here’s what Kelley had to say about each:
Junior Ryan Collier ? ‘He’s the best junior right now,? Kelley said. ‘Very strong. Got a good simple swing.?
‘He can hit the ball a long way,? the coach noted. ‘He’s not the best putter out here, but we’re working on that.?
Junior Alex Ignagni ? A ‘very strong? young man, who also plays hockey, Kelley said he got some professional help with his swing and is in the ‘process of changing? it. ‘He’s getting very, very close,? the coach said.
Junior Kyle Conn ? ‘Still growing; getting stronger,? according to Kelley. ‘Short game needs some work.?
Junior Tony Frias ? He’s ‘has some success? and ‘understands the game,? Kelley said.
Junior Logan Fulk — He’s ‘getting stronger all the time,? according to Kelley, noting Fulk’s been working on the rythym in his swing. ‘I’ve seen some changes.?
Fulk’s got a ‘good work attitude? and ‘that’s important,? the coach said.
Junior Travis Collier ? Described as ‘very athletic,? Collier just needs to slow down and get a sense of the game’s pace. ‘He’s going to improve as the year goes along,? Kelley said.
Junior Zach Gunnels ? Another hockey player who’s physically ‘very strong,? according to Kelley. If he can get some issues resolved, Gunnels ‘could really help this team.?
Rounding out the rest of the team are sophomore Liam Gallivan and freshman Kevin Cramer. Gallivan is ‘the most sober player I have out here,? according to Kelley. ‘Very focused. Very determined.?
Gallivan will be the team’s Number Two player, but could move up to Number One.
‘He understands the game quite well,? the coach said, ‘He’s already becoming a team leader.?
As for Cramer, ‘his attitude is very much like Gallivan,? Kelley said. ‘Very sober. Very determined. Pretty disciplined.?
Cramer will probably rotate between the varsity and JV teams.