Golfers kept one stroke below Rochester Adams to take first place at the OAA Red tournament last Thursday.
The boys scored 325, leaving Rochester to take second and Lake Orion for third.
‘The boys played extremely well under tough circumstances,? said Boys Varsity Golf Coach Pete Gallagher.
‘It was an extremely windy day,? he continued. ‘I stress to the players to keep grinding and battling through their round. The players know every shot counts and we won the tournament by one stroke.?
Seniors Taylor Walker and Nick Robeson led the team with a par of 79, tying for third place out of 36 players.
‘Taylor and Nick are two of the top players in the league and they performed like it,? said Gallagher. ‘They stayed mentally tough on a challenging day.?
Rochester Adam’s Matt Brady took first and Lake Orion’s Alex Waelchli, second.
This year’s team has six returners, Walker Robeson, Jimmy Delnick, Andrew Lange and Tyler VandenAvond, as well as three new faces, Charlie Nye, Nathan Cowan and Connor Hall.
‘This year’s team has a good blend of youth and experience,? said Gallagher. ‘Our depth of quality players in the program will provide this year’s team to be competitive in the league and the state tournament.?
Each team member brings a unique blend to the green beginning with the seniors – Walker, Robeson and Nye.
Walker and Robeson are currently the top players in the league.
‘Taylor is a student of the game and has a tremendous work ethic,? said Gallagher. ‘His ball striking is very consistent and he possesses the ability to shoot low, consistent scores.?
Robeson has only played golf for a few years but Gallagher sees his game improve in huge increments during the time.
‘Nick has worked very hard at becoming a complete and consistent golfer,? said Gallagher. ‘Nick will be a catalyst for the varsity team this season.?
Nye’s work during the off season provides consistency to the green and the Clarkston program.
‘He has benefited from his dedication to the game,? Gallagher added.
Cowan and Hall are the only juniors on the team and both had quality seasons on the JV team in their freshman and sophomore years to add the this year’s varsity team.
‘Nathan worked in the off season and went through a major swing change. As a result of his dedication he will provide solid scores,? said Gallagher.
Sophomores Delnick, Lange and VandenAvond round off the team as the youngest on the team as they were last year as freshman.
‘Jimmy gained a lot of experience from last year,? said Gallagher. ‘Jimmy has a tremendous short game.?
Lange has grown physically and mentally – both helping his game in regards of hitting and understanding the game.
‘Tyler is also a strong player that has plenty of length off the tee,? said Gallagher. ‘Tyler works hard at his game.?
All six will give spectators a reason to watch and see what happens next for the boys in their spring season.
The boys played in the Huron Valley Invitational on Tuesday and head to Traverse City to play in a 36- hole event.
‘The Traverse City tournament is one of the best tournaments in the state,? said Gallagher.