Sports Preview: Varsity Golf Team Sets Its Sights on Regionals

The goal is simple for the Clawson boys varsity golf team this season.

“We hope to qualify for regionals as a team this year,” third year coach Brett Hansen said. “It would be the first time in Clawson's history, to my knowledge, if we were to qualify as a team. We have had individuals in the past qualify for regionals, but we’ve never done it as a team.”

Last year, the Trojans finished 6-4 and Steve O’Connell qualified as a junior for regionals. O’Connell, recently featured as a returns as one of the senior leaders on the squad.

This year Hansen hopes O’Connell can reach the playoffs along with his fellow seniors Parker Aikin, Alex Linsenmeyer and Brad Lambert. Hansen called the group a “strong senior class” for Clawson.

“I am expecting these players to be the leaders of our team this year,” Hansen said. “As it is with most high school sports, you usually are as good as the seniors on your team.”

They’ll set an example for promising underclassman like sophomore Sean Gibbs and freshman Lucas Nesbitt. Hansen expects consistent play from the younger golfers and for them to improve quickly as the season moves along.

Gaining experience at Clawson’s ‘home golf course’ will also help. All of Clawson’s home meets are at the Red Oaks Golf Course in Madison Heights. The course is a par 31 with five par three holes and four par fours.

“Red Oaks has been fantastic to both our girls and boys teams,” Hansen said. “They are very accommodating to our schedules and have welcomed us as a program with open arms.”

And while the course isn’t very long, Hansen said that doesn’t necessarily make it any easier. 

“Realistically, a player could have success on this course without even hitting a driver,” Hansen said. “Most high school players have a difficult time leaving their driver in the bag, and when they do use on this course, they often find themselves in some pretty difficult spots on the golf course.”

Clawson’s first three meets are on the road. They start the season against Warren Woods on April 19 and then play Lamphere on April 21. Both meets are at the Maple Lane Golf Club in Sterling Heights. After that Clawson has an Oakland County Meet on April 25 at the Pontiac Municipal Golf Course.

The Trojans then play five of their next six meets at Red Oaks. They play Clintondale on April 27 in their home-opener.

“I am looking forward to a positive, successful season from this year's team,” Hansen said. “I feel that we can compete with anyone in our league (Macomb Silver Division)."