Troy

The next level

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

Photo by Deb Jacques Troy High junior Kelly Feng returns as the No. 1 for the Colts, who joined the OAA Red.

Troy High girls golf heads into Red Division

Troy High girls golf coach John Getzan knows there are extremely talented teams in the Oakland Activities Association Red Division, which had three teams qualify for the state finals last season.

But the coach also knows that his squad won’t be shying away from any of them as the Colts enter the Red for the first time.

“They’re not running away from the pressure; they want to take it on and want to get better,” Getzan said Aug. 27.

Getting better is exactly what Troy has done for the last three years.

When seniors Marly Garman and Emma Green were freshmen, the Colts didn’t win a single match. Troy won the OAA Blue division the following season, and then won the White last year.

“This group of girls came in the program, and now their goal is to take it to the next level and keep it there,” Getzan said. “They really want to go up against the best.”

The coach hopes the championship trend continues, but he also realizes the division is arguably the toughest in the state.

“I think we’ll be very competitive. I know that (Rochester Hills) Stoney Creek will be for sure, and I hate to use a cliché, but they really are in a league of their own in many ways. This is going to be a great learning experience,” Getzan said. “(We) have a chance now to play against the best in the state and see what they need to do to improve.”

The Colts return Garman, Green, and juniors Kelly Feng, Christine Dolikian and Marisa Oleski. All five competed on the squad that finished 12th at the Division 1 state final last season.

“This year, this group took it upon themselves to play in summer tournaments — every girl on the varsity did,” Getzan said. “They traveled together and talked about what they needed to do to improve, and accepted the challenge and really made an effort. We can see the growth.

“We want the kids to sense what it feels like when they put forth an effort and it’s paid off either through victory or through their strong finishes. They’ve done it themselves, and we’ve kind of laid out the blueprint.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062.