The 2004 Oxford Wildcats girls golf season has come to a close. For the third consecutive season, the ladies finished second in the Flint-Metro League.
Once again, the Linden Eagles, led by senior golfer Missy Ward, won both league tournaments to finish atop the league standings.
As for the Lady Cats, a second place finish is nothing to be ashamed of. At Sugarbush Golf Course in Davison, the team shot a combined score of 422, good enough to beat every other score except Linden’s exceptional 367. Leading the Oxford squad were sisters Beth and Kate Hubbard, shooting scores of 95 and 103, respectively. Both were named to the Flint-Metro League’s ‘All-Tournament Team? and also won ‘All Metro First Team? honors.
Oxford coach Terry Kelly was proud of his team’s effort, saying that the course could typically be more challenging for girls because of its long carries.
The Lady Wildcats went on to compete in the MHSAA Regionals, which were held on Wildcat turf at Oxford Hills Golf Course. Of all 17 teams competing in the tournament from around the lower half of the state, Oxford finished with a decent 392 ? good enough for ninth, but not good enough to qualify for state competition.
The teams that did manage to qualify for states included East Lansing, with a score of 345, and Oakamus and Swartz Creek, each shooting 353. The medallist for the tournament was Linden’s Ward, who shot an outstanding round of 70.
‘She’s probably the number one girl golfer in the state of Michigan this year,? said Kelly. ‘We’ve played against her for three years and she’s been more than we’ve been able to overcome.?
At the conclusion of Oxford’s season, the team held its annual banquet and awards night. Junior Beth Hubbard received the team’s Most Valuable Player award; senior Jacki Maher received Most Improved Player; and junior Samara Carroll won the Coach’s Award, which according to Kelly, is given to the player with the best attitude, the best practice record and to the player who shows ‘the kinds of things that make a coaches job more fun and easier.?
As far as league awards are concerned, Beth and Kate Hubbard received First Team honors, Maher received Second Team and Honorable Mentions were given to Carroll and sophomore Karen Offer.
The Wildcats finished the season with a 4-1 record in duels, a 2-2 tournament record, and 24 points, which was good enough for another second place finish.
At the completion of the 2004 season, the Wildcats will lose seniors Maher and Kate Hubbard, but the team is still deep with talent. Expected to step into leadership roles next season will be Carroll, Offer and Beth Hubbard, along with several other players.
As for 2004, put it into the history books!
Mike Stechschulte is a junior at Oxford High School who plans to major in the field of journalism.