Oakville High head coach Emily Baker says golfers can still join the Oakville Tigers girls’ golf team this season and have an opportunity to hit the links. Photo by Bill Milligan. 

By Stephen Glover
For the Call

With the 2018 girls’ varsity golf season now underway, the Oakville Senior High Tigers are trying to make do with what little numbers they have. This season alone, only five players joined the team, with zero freshmen and sophomores.

“We have five girls out for the team, and that’s kind of low for us,” Oakville head coach Emily Baker said. “We had a couple of kids decide to not play this year, and we just don’t have any freshmen or sophomores, which is disheartening. Our turnout comes and goes in waves, and this is just a down year for us.”

Senior Grace Bellovich returns for the 2018 season after taking 50th at last year’s Class 2 sectionals. The Tigers’ head coach is looking forward to seeing the progress she’s accomplished over the course of the offseason.

“Grace has really worked hard and has already set herself up for a good start to the season,” Baker said. “She’s a big leader and a very key part of our team this year.”

Two seniors that are joining the team for their first season on the links are Nicole Schmitz and Alex Philipps.

“Both girls played other sports in the past and are very athletic,” Baker said. “They’ve played recreational golf in the past and are very coachable. I’m really looking for them to take a leadership role.”

The Tigers also have two juniors this season in Alexis Perulfi and Paige Tustanowsky.

Although the season is well underway, Baker noted that players who may be interested in playing golf should get in touch with her as soon as possible.

“They need to have a minimum of 14 days of practice in order to be able to play in a match,” Baker said.

The Tigers opened the season this week.