By BUTCH HARMON
Led by last year’s Division 2 individual state champion Elle Nichols, the Okemos girls golf team is on a mission to make it to the Division 2 state finals as a team this year.
One of the premier golfers in the state, Nichols won the individual state title as a sophomore last fall by firing rounds of 77 and 80 for a two-day total of 157. This season, she has a strong cast of seniors supporting her, and so far this season, the Chieftains are off to a strong start and are ranked seventh in the state.
“The season has been going well,” coach Dan Stolz said. “The kids worked real hard in the off-season, and we have a lot of veterans back. We have five seniors back along with a junior who was state champion, so we are pretty excited.”
Not only is Nichols back, but she is better then ever. She started the season with an exclamation mark, shooting a 65 to win the Lakewood Invitational and break the Willow Wood Course record by four strokes. She also shot a 68 at the Grand Ledge Country Club and a 70 at the Fortress in Frankenmuth.
“She has been terrific this year,” Stolz said. “She is a much better player than a year ago. She had a very competitive summer, playing in some high-level tournaments against college players, and that has really helped her. She is a more mature player, a little stronger, and her short game is better.”
Nichols teams with senior Marie Lazar to give the team a solid pair of golfers at the top of the lineup.
“Marie is having a real strong season,” Stolz said. “She is much more consistent this season and was medalist at a tournament Elle was not at. With her and Elle, we have a one-two punch as strong as anyone.”
The Chieftains also return Katy Hollis, who is a four-year varsity player, along with Ryleigh Gordon.
“Katy is a solid player, and her and Ryleigh both average around 45,” Stolz said. “Jen Maisner has also really stepped up and is a solid number five player for us. She is averaging a 46 and we have used her score several times.”
With that kind of depth and talent, the Chieftains are poised for a deep tournament run but have some other goals to accomplish first.
“Right now our first goal is the conference,” Stolz said. “Last year we won the CAAC Blue for the first time, and we have a good shot at repeating. That is our first step. Then we have the regionals, and we are hoping to qualify for state and hope to get in the top three. And last is qualifying for state. Mona Shores has a strong team, and they will be hard to knock off, but after Mona Shores we are as good as any team out there. If we play well we could finish in the top five.”