GIRLS GOLF: South Lyon looking to keep tradition alive
BY DAN STICKRADT
CORRESPONDENT
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
SOUTH LYON — Since qualifying for its first state final in 2009, South Lyon has remained one of the state’s top Division 2 girls’ golf programs. It all boils down to summer camp.
“As soon as school got out in June, we had a camp, a seven-day camp, where we took out golfers and had them work on their games several hours a day,” said coach Dan Skatzka. “We really try to work with them as much as possible over the summer, so once the season starts in August, we’re ready to go.”
The extra work in recent years has more than paid off. South Lyon is shooting to make the Division 2 state final for the seventh straight season.
The Lions, who are ranked third in the state in Division 2 as of late September, finished an all-time best second in the state in 2014 with a two-day score of 697, trailing only perennial powerhouse Birmingham Seaholm. South Lyon finished fourth in 2013, fifth in 2012, 13th in 2001, 12th in 2010, and 11th in 2009 as part of their impressive string.
Three of the top four golfers are back, including senior Priscilla Harding, sophomore Elizabeth Harding, and senior Lucy Dinsmore. Sophomore Sophie Vergin and junior Mia Price have also contributed this season.
South Lyon won the Tecumseh Invitational and finished second at the Farmington Invitational. In the KLAA Central, the Lions’ sole dual-match loss was to Division 1 state-ranked Novi. South Lyon was one of 11 ranked schools at the recent Oakland County Division I Tournament, an event where nine strokes separated the top seven teams. South Lyon was seventh at 336, nine shots behind champion Lake Orion.
“I have never seen anything like it at a tournament. I guess it is good for girls’ golf, having so many teams around the area so close [in talent],” said Skatzka. “I know we’re right there.”
South Lyon has the goal of making it four straight top-five finishes at the state finals this season — the sign of a quality program. A decade ago, the Lions were far from even making the state finals cut.
“We’ve come a long ways in the past few years,” said Skatzka. “I think it goes down to the girls who are willing to put in the time in the off-season to become better golfers. We have a lot of girls playing golf and willing to work hard.”