Recent Whiteford Grad Ovall Takes the Reins of the Bobcats' First-Ever Girls Golf Team!

Here's a story that's tough not to love: Addison Ovall graduated in June from Ottawa Lake Whiteford, and this fall she might be the youngest varsity head coach in the entire state of Michigan. Ovall learned the game from her father, played as a freshman at St. Ursula Academy, and even suited up on the Whiteford boys team after athletic director Miranda Green wrote a letter to the MHSAA to get her cleared — she had to sit one match, but she earned her spot. Now she's building something new. The Whiteford girls golf team has five members, and they tee it up for the first time Tuesday. They practice daily at Whiteford Valley Golf Club — the same home course our boys play on — with an hour on the driving range, then chipping and putting, and nine holes one day a week. Ovall spends about 15 minutes with each golfer every day, and it's paying off. Freshman Charlie Weiser went out because her whole family golfs, started in early summer, and she's getting pretty good with that 8-iron. A month to prepare, and now it's showtime.