By Kristi McDevitt
Sports Correspondent
With just four more days to prepare for the District tournament last week, the Oxford varsity golf team rounded out their league schedule and competed in a non-league tri-meet.
On Monday, the Wildcats traveled to Franklin Hills Golf Course to take on Cranbrook Kingswood and Birmingham Groves. The Wildcats dropped both matches netting a 177 to Cranbrook’s 160 and Grove’s 164. Senior Dominic Crosson and sophomore Ryan Collier led the pack with a low 41. Sophomore Josh Burton shot a 47 in his first varsity appearance, and senior Josh Tindall had a 48. The next day Oxford traveled to Lapeer Country Club for their final league outing against Lapeer West. The Panthers were too much for Oxford, beating the Wildcats with a low score of 161 to 173. Crosson shot a 40, Tindal a 42, sophomore Alex Ignagni had a 46, and Ryan Collier shot a 47.
The Wildcats headed back to the Lapeer Country Club last Friday to battle in the MHSAA Division II District tournament. The Wildcats placed 10th out of the 13 teams that competed, but unfortunately, did not advance to the Regional tournament. Oxford senior Dominic Crosson just missed his opportunity to compete in the individual Regionals by only two strokes. He was low scorer for Oxford with a 90. Tindall (93), Collier (93), and Burton (104) rounded out the scoring. Brandon won the District.
This past Monday the Wildcats participated in the final FML tournament of their 2005 season. Oxford was looking to de-throne league frontrunner Brandon and move up in the league standings. Playing without two of their varsity golfers, the Wildcats came in last place out of the eight league teams.
They missed 7th by just two strokes. In his varsity debut, sophomore Travis Collier led the Wildcats with a 91 with Josh Tindall one stroke back (92). Ignagni shot a 94 and Burton had a 97.
On a up note, Kelley applauded his two seniors, Dominic Crosson and Josh Tindall for their competitive play all season and said that the squad will miss them next season.
For the sophomores, Kelley is excited to get back to work in the spring to keep improving their game and is happy with the fact that many had positive varsity experiences this season to help prepare them for next season.
Oxford’s season wraps up next week with a non-league match-up against Bloomfield Hills Lahser.