With their team having grown to nine varsity members compared to six last year, the Lake Orion High School girls varsity golf team is hoping this will be their year to post scores worthy of a championship season.
Varsity coach Monty Gallaher had 20 girls try out for the golf program this year, with nine making varsity and eight JV. The varsity team returns senior Ashley Hamilton, team captain, who finished ninth and 10th respectively at the state championship the past two years.
Hamilton recently signed with the University of Detroit-Mercy for a full-ride scholarship to play for their inaugural golf program.
‘Her goal is to win at the state championship individually this year,? Gallaher said. ‘When I took over the boys team in 2001, my goal was to get to the state championship, and the boys won the regional that year. We’ll try to take that same plan for the girls this year.?
Joining Hamilton are seniors Heather Dolecki, Tricia Hewitt and Kristen Thulin, who will be limited in playing time due to a knee injury she suffered during the state finals with the Lake Orion girls varsity ski team.
Also on the team is junior Kristen Clemence, along with freshmen Britney Hamilton, Ashley’s sister; Megan Clemence, Kristen’s sister; Darby Peters and Kayla Thrushman.
‘We had a big recruiting class this season,? said Gallaher. ‘I’m really counting on these freshmen to play a lot. Darby is the most polished, she’s played in lots of tournaments.?
Gallaher said the other three freshmen on the varsity team are newcomers to the serious golf game.
‘They’ve just started to get serious, but have excellent potential,? he said.
Gallaher said the goal for his team this year are clear: Qualify for the state championship.
‘We lost one dual match last year,? he said. ‘The returning players have that desire, they want to go undefeated and win our league.
‘It’s not out of reach,? Gallaher continued. ‘Because of , mainly, Ashley…you just need some supporting cast members.?
Gallaher said he is looking forward to the season.
‘Most of them have been coming to voluntary workouts since January,? he said. ‘There’s dedication in the off-season. These girls have been practicing all winter.?
Lake Orion will remain in Division II this season, although Gallaher said he was trying to move the team to Division I.
‘The OAA has realignment years,? he explained. ‘We couldn’t move this year, but we should have that goal of being undefeated in Division II.?
Gallaher said Birmingham Seaholm was the team’s only defeat last year, and will be tough competition again this year. He’s pleased with how the returning players have meshed with the newcomers.
‘They’ve taken the freshmen under their wings,? he said. ‘They have a buddy-partner system. One thing I’ve found in the girls, this team is all about having fun, but they want to win first.?
Gallaher said Hamilton was All-State last year and has won medals at ‘almost every tournament she’s played in.?
‘We just get a few wins under our belt and it gets contagious,? he said. ‘You only count four scores…Kristen (Clemence) will be a senior next year. The freshmen will have to step into their roles and play solidly for the next four years.
‘I see this core sticking together,? Gallaher said.?