When her varsity golf career started at Dowagiac, Haley Smith was the younger sister of Lauren Smith.

Now a senior, Haley is the older sister of freshman Kelsey Smith.

The Smith sisters may hold the key to the Chieftains’ success this coming season. In fact, without them, Dowagiac wouldn’t even have a team as only four players are currently on the roster.

Haley is playing in the No. 1 position for the Chieftains, who finished eighth at the Wolverine Conference Jamboree they hosted at Indian Lake Hills Golf Course Wednesday. Kelsey is playing No. 4.

Being a bit nervous about her first year of varsity golf, Kelsey said he talked about it with her older sister.

“She said don’t be nervous because everybody is nervous their first match,” Kelsey said.

“It’s okay, but she gets frustrated with me if I try to help,” Haley said. “I’m just trying to help. She just takes it the wrong way I guess, but it’s still fun.”

Neither would admit to being competitive with each other, but after thinking it over, the answer was simply — yes.

“I want to beat her really bad,” Kelsey said.

“I wouldn’t say we’re competitive, but I think we get frustrated with each other when one does better. So yes, I guess we are kind of competitive.”

Haley got the better of her younger sister Wednesday by shooting a 51. Kelsey finished with a 71. Both improved by three strokes from Monday’s season opener.

Dowagiac also got a 51 from Maggie Cripe and a 63 from Kristyn Turner, who also improved her score by three strokes.

“Here is what I’m glad about,” Dowagiac coach Van Johnson said. “I’m glad Maggie is back in the line-up so we can actually post a team score. The second thing I’m happy about is Kristyn and Kelsey are going to get better and that’s going to make us better as a team. After that, we are going to get more leadership from Maggie and Haley because they are both very competitive and in the end that’s going to make the team more competitive.”

Three Rivers picked up its second straight jamboree victory after shooting 196 as a team. Plainwell was second with 198 and Allegan third with 199. Otsego and Comstock were fourth and fifth at 200 and 201 respectively.

Dowagiac, which did not post a team score on Monday, finished with a 236.

Darby Wagner of Plainwell was the medalist with a round of 41.

 

Wolverine Conference Golf

Dowagiac Jamboree

At Indian Lake Hills Golf Course

Medalist

Darby Wagner, Plainwell – 41

 

Team scores

Three Rivers 196, Plainwell 198, Allegan 199, Otsego 200, Comstock 201, Vicksburg 213, South Haven 225, Dowagiac 236, Paw Paw 250

 

Individual Top 10

Darby Wagner (PL) 41, Holly Hines (TR) 42, Brittany Klinger (TR) 46, Megan Sims (C) 46, Kera Campbell (O) 46, Aspen Hansen 47, Halee Manning (A) 48, Michelle Vandenboss (A) 49, Ari Stewart (C) 49, Erica Nuyen (O) 50, Samantha Hill (PP) 50, Kylie Huckil (O) 50

 

Standings

Three Rivers 18, Otsego 14, Allegan 14, Plainwell 14, Vicksburg 9, Comstock 9, South Haven 5, Paw Paw 4, Dowagiac 3

 

Dowagiac results

Haley Smith 51, Maggie Cripe 51, Kristyn Turner 63, Kelsey Smith 71