TONTOGANY — During coach Nathan Luce’s tenure, Otsego girls golf has won seven Northern Buckeye Conference titles, and the Knights have a good start at winning their eighth.
Luce had a strong feeling the Knights, who return 2021 and 2022 NBC Player of the Year, senior Elizabeth Jackson, would be in the hunt.
“This season we hope to compete for another conference title,” Luce said. “The NBC has added Maumee and Oak Harbor this year, which will add new golf courses and players. As always, we expect the NBC to be very competitive.
“Our goals this season are limiting mistakes during matches, staying focused and positive, and continuing to improve our short game. Team and individual results will be a product of our striving to reach these goals.”
Also returning are junior Lizzy Budge, a first team all-conference choice, and sophomore letter winners Carley Etchie and Ella Kosinski.
This is Luce’s 17th season at the helm. His teams have also won three sectional titles and advanced to districts eight times. He is assisted by Scott Bylow and Hope London.
Luce’s Knights got off to a good start defending last year’s title, scoring 183 strokes to win the NBC’s first shootout at Hidden Hills Golf Club in Woodville on Aug. 14.
Jackson was medalist, shooting a 41, followed by Budge (43), Kosinski (49) and Etchie (50).
Finishing second was Rossford at 209, followed by Genoa (222), Oak Harbor (232), Lake (246), Maumee (286) and Eastwood (297).
In the second shootout at Maumee Bay Golf Course in Oregon on Monday, Jackson again shot a 41 as Otsego won by 25 strokes over Rossford, 183-208.
Genoa (230) was third, followed by Oak Harbor (233), Lake (253), Eastwood (267) and Maumee (287).
The third shootout is Tuesday, Aug. 29 at Heatherdowns Country Club in South Toledo, followed by the fourth shootout on Sept. 7 at Cross Winds Golf Course in Perrysburg Township. The NBC championship is Sept. 19 at Green Hills Golf Course in Clyde. TON
