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Numbers and expectations grow for Alpena girls golf team in 2016

After getting a team back on the course just a year ago, the Alpena High girls golf team has seen its numbers and expectations grow for the 2016 season.

“We just brought the team back together after a two-year absence and we just wanted to play. This year we’re hoping to get a little more competitive with some girls this year,” Alpena golf coach Mike Nunneley said.

The team will be led by junior captain Courtney Nunneley who earned second team All-Big North Conference honors a year ago. Alternate captain Lizzy Heath will also be counted on to play an important role in the team’s success. Both Courtney Nunneley and Heath are capable of achieving all-conference honors and that will go a long way in helping the team achieve its goal of being more competitive in conference play.

Maddy Parr is the team’s number three golfer and is expected to do big things. Brynna Smith comes back after posting good numbers and making the regional team last year as a freshman.

“We made it a goal of ours to be more competitive in the Big North and we are progressing towards that. Fortunately this conference has some of the best competition in the state and I believe over time that will make us better on the course,” Mike Nunneley said.

This year’s team is made up of 12 golfers. The Wildcats are still young and a bit inexperienced with a few golfers on the team having never played before, but the team is excited for the challenges they will face throughout the season. Despite being a young team, Alpena does carry a few veterans on the team, which will go a long way in helping the program another step forward.

“The team knows what to expect this year. We’re getting back to the transition of varsity sports where you have a variety of underclassmen and upperclassmen throughout the program,” Mike Nunneley said. “Our newcomers are really pushing our older players to be even better and it’s really great to see.”

The level of competition the Wildcats will see this year will be high as Traverse City West comes back as the defending state champion from a year ago. Alpena will see a high quality of golf throughout the season not only in its conference, but in other competition during the year.

“It’s great for our girls to be able to see this level of competition. There is huge opportunities for girls in golf right now. These girls get the opportunity to play as some of the best courses throughout northern Michigan,” Mike Nunneley said.

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