The Lake Orion High School varsity girls golf team are off to a good start this season, with a 197-213 win over Birmingham Groves on March 27.
There are six girls on the team this year, including returning junior Ashley Hamilton, who head coach Monty Gallaher says will be a decisive factor in the team’s success.
“Ashley is All-State, basically…After that we drop off, but as long as we play to our potential, we’ll be all right,” he said. “The boys (varsity golf team) didn’t have high expectations until I held them accountable and they seemed to excel.”
Along with Hamilton, returning to the team this year are senior Natalie Michalik, junior Kristin Thulin and junior Heather Dolecki. Rounding out the team are sophomore Kristen Clemence and junior Tricia Hewitt.
Gallaher said his team is focused on the season ahead.
“They’re ready,” he said. “Natalie, because she’s a senior, should be a leader and play an instrumental role in how we do.”
Gallaher said Hamilton should have a good season, having played in tournaments all over the country in the off season.
“My goal is to have more girls participate in the summer,” he said. “We have a good recruiting class coming up for next year.”
Lake Orion plays in OAA II, and Gallaher said as far as he is concerned, the team should be able to handle everybody in their division.
“My competition is at the regionals,” he said. “Rochester, Rochester Adams, Clarkston, Troy…they are all OAA I teams. That’s our goal, to make it out of the region.”
Gallaher said he is aiming to mirror what he did with the boys team in taking them to a regional championship with the girls team.
“It wouldn’t have bothered me if we lost, but putting pressure on helps them achieve,” he said.