Last week was a good one overall for the Lady Cat golfers.
Unfortunately they kicked off the week with a 189-176 dual match loss to Troy Athens at Sanctuary Lake Course on Sept. 15
‘Troy is a well-coached team and they are having a great season,? said Oxford Head Coach Gretchen Gabler.
Oxford was led by senior Katie Guthre with a 43. Captain McKenzie Chaisson followed with a 47. Lauren Yankee carded a 48 and Lauren Opalewski had a 51.
Despite the loss the day before, the girls entered the Oakland County Division 2 Tournament ready to play.
‘This was the tournament we have been thinking about for a year,? Gabler said. ‘After finishing second to last place at the county tournament last year, the girls vowed to (seek) redemption.?
Redemption is just what the girls got as they scored 246 points and placed second out of 17 teams. Gabler said it’s a moment she will never forget.
‘The girls were playing with a fire in them,? she said. ‘They were focused on scoring the very best they could.?
Chaisson shot 75, another personal best, and was the number 3 medalist in the county.
Senior Katie Guthrie remained solid with an 86 and tied for 13th overall. Senior and Captain Emily Zeliasko carded a 92. Sophomore Lauren Yankee and freshman Lauren Opalewski both shot a 93.?
Gabler said Chaisson’s 75 score was celebrated by the whole team.
She also noted the 246 score is a school record for an 18-hole tournament and the historic performance also paved the way for the girls to go back to playing in Division 1 at the start of the next season.
‘We are moving back to where we belong,? said an excited Gabler.
Former Girls? Golf Coach Terry Kelly said that moving down to Division 2 and then back to Division 1 was ‘unprecedented.?
‘We couldn’t be more thrilled,? Gabler added.
The Lady Cats traveled to the Great Oaks Country Club in Rochester for a tournament on Monday where they finished 13th out 18 teams.
‘Today’s tournament was a much tougher course,? Gabler said. ‘Playing a harder course with undulating and fast greens will help prepare us for the regional tournament at (the) Davison Country Club on Oct. 8.
The girls will play next at Oxford Hills golf course on Sept. 24 in a dual match against Bloomfield Hills. Tee off is at 3:45 p.m.