With Clarkston golf’s win at the second OAA Division I league tournament, the league title is so far up in the air it is having trouble breathing.
The Wolves posted a team score of 310 at Heather Highlands on Sept. 15, out shooting defending league champion Rochester Adams second place mark of 312. Adams was victorious at the first OAA tournament on Aug. 26 by four strokes over the Wolves. Had the Highlanders taken the second tournament as well they would have had the inside track on the league title.
‘We started very slowly. We didn’t play well on the first nine. The kids did a nice job of finishing strong,? said Clarkston Coach Tim Kaul.
Senior Pat McIlrath’s 76 led the Wolves? balanced attack at the OAA tournament. Senior Mike Horn shot 77, sophomore Matt Fuller finished with a 78 and senior Rob Ronk posted a 79 to round out Clarkston’s foursome.
‘Balance has been the key for us. We never have the player that wins the tournament, but we have had seven players break 80 in tournaments this year,? said Kaul.
Clarkston’s depth was especially important on Sept. 13 as Clarkston slimly defeated Troy High 159-162 in their first dual meet of the year.
Ronk led Clarkston and was the medalist with a score of 36. Clarkston got a 38 from Fuller, a 41 from senior Zach McDonald and a 44 from Horn to stave off Troy.
‘I knew we were a better team than Troy but they had several strong dual match scores coming in,? said Kaul.
Adams and Clarkston do not have long to wait for another shot at one another; the teams will battle on Sept. 21 at Katke Cousins at Oakland University.
The Highlanders are the meat in a dual match sandwich this coming week. Clarkston’s dual with Rochester High on Sept. 20 finished too late for this edition of The Clarkston News. The Wolves square off against Lahser at Forest Lake Golf Course on Sept. 22.