While most of the fall varsity teams are just getting started, the Oxford Varsity Golf team is well into it’s season. – and a rocky season at that.
The 10 member varsity team has already completed two tournaments and two dual-meets since August 13. To date, the team stands 0-2 in duals and placed in the back at both tournaments.
‘We just have a bunch of guys who are new to varsity competition,? said Coach Don Lovell. ‘We’ll have a decent ball club by the end of the year.?
The young varsity team has only two returning lettermen, Jake Crowell and Jerred Pender, both averaging a 45. Lovell said he will be looking at rotating three first years – juniors Dominic Crosson and Kevin Jones, and sophomore Lars Stinson – in the other spots.
‘Essentially, we’ve lost all of kids from last year,? explained Lovell. ‘We’re really young now and we need to get some experience.?
And experience is coming. On Aug. 13, the team placed 16 out of 22 teams at the Lapeer Tournament with a 357. At their first Flint Metro League, the guys came in with a depressing last place 380.
‘We did not play well that day at all,? said Lovell.
On Aug. 20, the team was defeated 157-177 in their first dual-meet against Rochester Stoney Creek. Pender led the way for the Wildcats with a 40, followed by Crowell with a 43. The team showed improvement in their second dual meet against Linden, but still lost 167-165. Final strokes tallied for Oxford were Pender and Stinson tying with a 39, Crosson with 44 and Chad Brown with 45.
The Oxford golfers have a long road ahead of them in league competition, especially with their dual-meet against powerhouse Holly just around the corner on Sept. 16. Lapeer West and Fenton are also strong forces, but Oxford should be well matched against Lapeer East and Brandon.
‘It will be interesting to see what happens when we start playing those guys (East and Brandon),? said Lovell.
The Wildcats hit the green again on Sept. 9 at home against well-ranked Fenton. The match-up will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Oxford Hills Golf Course.