There are two seniors, six juniors and a sophomore on the OPRF girls golf team this season and they all played on varsity last year.
Led by seniors Katie Murray and Katie Holmes, the Huskies are sure to be competitive. Juniors Lauren Hanson, Mason Rose, Emily Craft, Jessi Dixon, Victoria Patete and Brigid Sullivan help form a solid nucleus, while sophomore Emma Youman is expected to provide scoring stability.
The Huskies recently teamed up with the OPRF boys junior varsity squad and won the West Aurora Alternate Shot Invitational.
Two teams — Hanson and David Hancock, and Youman and Bryan Mooney, led OPRF with 93s. Rose and Mike Egan posted 96, while Murray and Sam Michaels shot 99.
OPRF posted a 381, while West Chicago finished second with a 388 and West Aurora third with a 401.
On Thursday, the girls team defeated Evanston 175-223. Hanson medaled with a 41, while Rose finished with a 44.
“Many of our returners have stepped up their game over the summer by playing a lot in Illinois Junior Golf Association events and playing at Oak Park Country Club, and using the Bushwood Golf Practice Center [in Forest Park],” said OPRF head coach Pete Hostrawser. “[It all] helped these girls come into the season ready to compete. They are more confident in their games this year due to the extra effort they put in over the summer.”
The girls golf program is now in its fifth year, and Hostrawsersaid the turnout at the freshman level this season was exceptional.
“This is the largest freshman class to try out and make it for junior varsity,” he said.
The team opens West Suburban (Silver) Conference match play against Hinsdale Central at Oak Park Country Club on Aug. 23rd.