Oxford varsity golfers finished third out of nine teams at the annual Bobcat Invitational on Monday, May 7. Though in third place overall, the defending champion OHS men’s team finished only seven strokes behind this year’s winner, Midland Dow.
Varsity coach Terry Kelley was not happy about the loss and said the team is ‘not where we want or expect to be? Kelley credits the third place showing to a ‘lack of serious preparation.?
To be fair, he added, ‘two of the players had never played the course, and all OHS players did improve their scores on the back nine, which is a testament to their perseverance?
On Thursday, May 3, the Wildcats narrowly lost their first duo-match in two years when they played Avondale. The final score was 155-159.
Coach Terry Kelley said the Avondale squad is very well coached, with two of the best players in the state. Now that Avondale has slipped by the Wildcats and has taken the league lead, they ‘will be very difficult to catch,? Kelley said.
Though his players are ‘working hard,? Coach Kelley said the team is in a ‘flat spot? right now. ‘We need to pay greater attention to detail,? the Wildcat chief linkster said.
Kelley praised the hard work of player Matthew Prince, a freshman now starting on varsity. ‘We’re very pleased with his play,? the coach said.
Also impressive, the coach added, is the consistent excellence from Nick Hocker. According to Coach Kelley, Hocker ‘has a 3.8 GPA, works two jobs after school, is a gentleman, and never misses a practice.?
‘He’s a leader on and off the course and a very high achiever? said Kelley.
The Wildcats head to the road for a couple weeks before returning to Devil’s Ridge on May 17 for a home match against Troy Athens.