The Lake Orion High School Boy’s Varsity Golf Team is off to a tough start.
They have both won and lost a match, and have not finished first in any of the five tournaments they attended. The team was fourth in the recent OAA I Tournament, with a final score of 330, while Rochester Adams won the tournament with 319. Jeff Peters topped Lake Orion with a third place overall finish with 77.
On Sept. 29, the team competed in the Oakland County Division I Tournament, placing seventh with 326.
“We’re not doing as well as I thought we would be,” said varsity coach Monty Gallaher. “We’re just not playing up to our potential.”
Returning players for the team this year are seniors Chris Beier, Tommy Miszewski, Doug Collins, Matt Zitzmann; and juniors Jeff Peters and Nick Bierschbach.
New to this year’s varsity team are senior Scott Rogwoski, junior Adam Redick and sophomore David Kurtz.
“The best part of this team is the friendly atmosphere; it’s all one group and there is a lot of good team chemistry,” Gallaher said. “Players host team dinners, hang out on and off the golf course, and some even share the same after-school jobs. The boys feel comfortable and relaxed.”
While the team struggles to place first, they can use it as an opportunity to motivate each other for the rest of the season. They are looking at their position rationally, and are all working for one day in particular.
“In golf, there is only one day that counts, and that’s regionals,” Gallaher said. “Our entire days are focused on that. Last year, we won.”
Five boys are attending the competition for Lake Orion this year.
“As of right now, David Kurtz has been doing specifically well…Chris, Tommy, Jeff and Nick are all in my top five,” said Gallaher.
“So far we’re 1-1 in the league, and I’m not disappointed,” he said. “I stress to the team that everything is practice.”