It was a hectic two weeks for the varsity boys golf team as they finished a stretch where they competed in three Oakland Activities Association matches and three tournaments.
‘We really packed in a lot of matches and tournaments and I marvel not just at the level the boys are playing at, but they are able to get all their studies done and have some kind of social life,? varsity golf head coach Terry Kelley said. ‘It just amazes me and I’m proud of them.?
Oxford took on the weather and the top 22 teams in the area at the Indianwood Invitational at Indianwood Country Club in Lake Orion.
‘Monday was absolutely miserable,? Kelley said. ‘These kids who have played through all this miserable weather this spring said Monday was the worst weather wise for them…it was really ugly. We had spitting snow at some point and the high was about 38 or 40.?
The Wildcats finished third with a 326. Plymouth won with a 316 and Novi High School was second with a 319.
Nolan Chapman led Oxford with a 77, while Doug Piesko shot a 78.
‘They didn’t seem to let it bother them. They are pretty resilient,? Kelley said.?
At the Lapeer East Invitational on Friday, May 13, all three Wildcat pairing’s finished in the top five during the best ball format.
Piesko and Nick Hocker won the event, shooting a 65.
Josh Hosking and Chapman finished second with a 73, while J.J. Lewis and Doug Schultz finished fourth with a 78.
The Wildcats took on Bloomfield Andover on Wednesday, May 11. Piesko was the medalist with a 34.
Despite Oxford winning the Bay City Invitational by nearly 20 strokes, it was Piesko who stole the show as he needed three extra holes to capture the individual title.
He won the event shooting a 73, but it was the second shot on the third playoff hole that had everyone talking.
After driving his tee shot right into the next fairway, Piesko faced a wall of 60 foot high willow trees blocking his second shot to the green.
‘He pulled off an absolutely amazing shot over the top of 60 foot tall willow trees to within 20 feet of the hole on a par 5,? Kelley said. ‘The other kid played the hole exactly the way you were supposed to, he went right down the middle with his first, laid up with his second, put his third up to 20 feet and missed his putt.?
Piesko missed his eagle putt, but drained his birdie putt to win the tournament.
‘It was pretty fun to watch. The kid has nerves of steel, a good imagination and is very athletic,? Kelley said.
Oxford defeated West Bloomfield on May 4 and won 161-188. Piesko shot a 39 and was the medalist for Oxford.
On May 3, the Wildcats took on Bloomfield Hills Lahser and won 167-180. Piesko and Chapman both shot 41 for Oxford.
The Wildcats are currently 8-0 overall. According to Kelley, if the Wildcats defeat Troy Athens on Tuesday and have a solid showing in the second OAA tournament, they will have a shot to win the league title.