Hornet Golfers Look to Defend State Title

The members of the Saline Hornets girls’ golf team have some big shoes to fill. Last year’s team went undefeated in match play, never looked back, and won the state championship. This year’s team is looking to duplicate the feat.

Returning All-State senior Karla Gross and sophomore Emily White will lead the team of ten as well as compete among themselves for the lowest round during any given match. Coach Betsy French hopes that competition between her top golfers will help them both improve, as well as help teach the others as the season progresses.

“We have a strong one-two. They’re really going to push each other. They flip-flop on who scores lower. It’s something I like to see, iron sharpening iron,” said French.

The team will take up to six players to their meets, depending on the rules for the tournament. Stacy Cruze, who is returning from an injury last season, is in line to play in the number three spot, and Heather Vogt, another returning varsity player, looks to fill the fourth hole.

Fighting for the last spots will be Louisa Antonelli, Lauren Rasmussen and Caitlin Swiney. Seniors Jenni Kohler and Victoria Loader, as well as freshman Tabitha Baker, can play into tournaments, but will see some of their action on the Junior Varsity squad. 

“Jenni was a brand new player her sophomore year; now she’s a senior and has shown tons of improvement. Victoria is an athlete that is learning quickly,” said French.

Coach French is a firm believer in the short game in golf. She said playing on and around the green makes or breaks teams. As such, the team will spend a great deal of time working on chipping and putting in hopes to reduce the total number of strokes during matches. The athletes have shown some improvement already, and French looks forward to seeing more as the season progresses.

“The short game is really where the strokes are lost. A lot of girls can get close to the green, but then you see a couple of chips and a three putt, and the scores go up quickly,” said French.

The golf season started with an 18-hole tournament in Chelsea on August 18. They will play most of their invites before the school year starts.

Date

Time

Opponent

Aug. 18

8:30 a.m.

@ Chelsea Invite

Aug. 22

12 a.m.

@ Mason Invite

Aug. 25

12 a.m.

@ Farmington Invite

Aug. 26

8 a.m.

@ Grosse Ile Invite

Aug. 29

9 a.m.

@ Brighton Invite

Aug. 30

12 p.m.

@ Bedford

Aug. 31

3 p.m.

@ SEC Quad with AAP and Chelsea @ Dexter

Sept. 1

9:30 a.m.

@ AAP Invite

Sept 12

3 p.m.

Skyline

Sept. 14

3 p.m.

@ Monroe

Sept. 19

9:30 a.m.

@ East Lansing Invite

Sept. 20

3 p.m.

SEC Tri with AAP and Tecumseh

Sept. 21

3 p.m.

Huron

Sept. 26

3 p.m.

@ SEC Quad with AAP and Ypsi

Sept. 27

 TBA

@ SEC Invite

Oct. 1

8:30 a.m.

@ Bedford Invite