By Michella Slimak
The Oakland men’s and women’s golf teams anticipate strong results this upcoming year as the men capitalize on winning the 2021 Horizon League Championship, and the women aim to utilize top returning players.
The men finished the 2021 season led by current Horizon League Champion and Horizon League Player of the Year, Thomas Giroux who shot a season average of 72.5. Giroux continued competition at a top-level throughout the summer and recently won the 99th Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship which will propel him into the fall season. Other strong returners for the men include the Freshman of the Year, Yaro Ilyenko, and Colin Sikkenga who finished seventh at the Horizon League Championship.
The men look forward to competing in their annual tournaments as well as a variety of new ones. “We do a great job of blending Midwest events while also getting national exposure which ultimately will prepare us for the Horizon League Championships and beyond,” said men’s Head Coach Nick Pumford, who earned Coach of the Year for the second time since his arrival to Oakland in 2016.
On the women’s side, the team is looking forward to impressive results from top returning players, Amalia Shahzan, Sydney Martens, and Veronica Haque. These women have shown great development during their time as Golden Grizzlies and are anticipated to showcase more talent in this upcoming year. The women look forward to adding newcomers Ashley Chin and Nateda Her to their roster.
“It’s been a great summer of hard work and competition, for all of us, and I cannot wait to get after our 2021-2022 season,” women’s Head Coach Alyssa Guss said.
The women’s travel schedule includes participation in a couple of Midwest competitions, including the Dolores Black Falcon Invitational and Nevel Meade Collegiate. Both teams are looking forward to exhibiting their talent in a full-length season and a wide variety of tournaments.
