After losing some crucial senior talent last season, Oxford High School’s girls’ golf varsity Head Coach Gretchen Gabler is proud of her new and returning athletes for continuing to play at a high level going into the fall.

When it comes to top-performing players, Gabler can name how almost every girl on her squad his improved over the last year. But, she says captain and senior Caity Hopman and sophomore Janelle Grech show a lot of promise to be elite players. Junior and newcomer to the team Olivia Soule is also proving herself as a strong leader this year.

“Sophomore Janelle Grech is the golfer to watch this season,” Gabler said. ”She has focused on her golf swing and course management in the off season, and due to her hard  work has set two personal bests already this year. Janelle shot 48 at Metamora Golf and Country Club against N. Farmington to lead the team to victory and a 99 at Twin Lakes in the Troy Lady Colts Invite on Thursday,  Aug. 22.”

The girls did a lot of competing in the three weeks leading up to the first day of school, as Gabler says she likes to make sure they don’t miss too many classes. Right now, the team is 2-0 in league wins against Troy Athens and Farmington Hills. Gabler says she and the girls hope to keep their winning streak alive.

This season, the girls have racked up one tournament win, as well as a fourth place and 10th place finish.

“One of our team goals this season is to finish in the top 3 teams at the Oakland County tournament on  Aug. 29 held at the Links of Crystal Lake and to finish strong in our  (Oakland Activities Association) white division,” she said.

Aside from continuing to build swing skills with her team this season, Gabler said they will be focusing on being athletes of integrity who are dedicated to fair  play and scoring. She thinks her girls are well on their way to achieving that goal.

“I am very humbled to coach this group of golfers,” Gabler said. “They are well  rounded girls who are active in many other school activities that enrich their lives, academically, athletically and in the arts.”

The golfers will take the course again on Sept. 5 at Stoney Creek.