One stroke, that’s all that was between the Oxford boys? varsity golf team and heading to the MHSAA Regionals.
With a score of 326 the Wildcats placed seventh out of 12 teasms at the MHSAA District tournament on May 29 at Coyote Preserve in Fenton. Regional qualifiers included Grand Blanc, 312, Clarkston, 317, Lake Orion/Rochester Adams, 319, Stoney Creek, 322, and Rochester, 325.
‘We knew it was going to be tight over at the district and I think they were well prepared. They had a couple practice rounds there and knew the scores were going to be high. They were right. We picked the number and we finished just about on the money we had anticipated,? said Coach Terry Kelly. ‘In close matches little things matter a lot, we probably let a few get by us.?
However, Kelly did have one individual qualifier from his team, JJ Lewis who placed second with a score of 74.
‘JJ is a our team captain. He’s just a great kid. He’s one everybody wants to play golf with. His teammates and kids from the other teams asked to be scheduled opposite him because they enjoy playing with him,? he said. ‘He’s a hard worker, leader and heck of a golfer. He just keeps getting better every year.?
Despite their loss Kelly still considers it a great season. Oxford won all nine of their dual matches in the league, including three out seven tournaments, placing third in another tournament and ‘middle of the pack? in the other two. One of the tournaments they won included the second OAA League Tournament on May 20 at Heather Highlands Golf Club.
‘We haven’t done that in a while, not since before we came into this league (Oakland Athletics Association Blue),? Kelly said. ‘We thought this year was a rebuilding year because we lost three good players off last year’s squad, but right from the start they weren’t content to just rebuild. They wanted to go for it this year.?
While they didn’t make it this year, Kelly said they are very optimistic about next year’s team.
‘I look for them to be more successful next year because I know they’re going to be improved because I know they work hard and they want to be good,? he said. ‘Thank you to the community and our administration for their support all season.?