Golf teams to compete
for league crown Friday at MHCC
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
Local high school golf teams will battle it out Friday at Mars Hill Country Club for Aroostook League bragging rights and the opportunity to compete at the state championships next month at Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro.
Each of the teams competing will select five players and the top four scores are totaled and used to determine the winner. The top two teams will advance to the state team championship and the top 10 male players who shoot a 90 or better will qualify for the state individual tourney. Girls who shoot 110 or less will also qualify.
The 18-hole event gets under way at 9 a.m.
Participating from the region will be Fort Fairfield, Central Aroostook and Ashland.
Profiles of each of the local squads follow:
Fort Fairfield
The Tigers are the four-time league champions and are the favorites to win a fifth this year. They are undefeated in regular season play thus far and are led by junior Robbie Watson, a five handicap, and senior Noah Bernard, who carries an eight handicap.
“Both have been playing well so far this summer and both work hard at their games,” said seventh-year coach Larry Gardner. The two qualified for the individual championships last year and are hoping for a return trip.
Freshman Jon Bernard is Fort’s No. 3 player, while junior Vince Campbell, sophomore Larry Warner, senior Jordann Coiley and junior Shyla Bouchard round out the squad. Coiley also qualified for last year’s individual tourney.
“For us to qualify, Robbie and Noah will have to shoot their normal scores and our third, fourth and fifth players will have to shoot 100 or better for us to have a chance to compete with [the other favorites] Central Aroostook and Hodgdon.”
Central Aroostook
The Panthers are the host team this year for the tourney and sixth-year coach Adam Metzler is hoping that the familiarity with the course bodes well for his team.
“If they play their game, we will be heading to States,” Metzler said. “The team just needs to keep a level head, stay patient and play one hole at a time mentally and they will put up some good scores.”
Central Aroostook has suffered some key injuries this season. Zack Grass has been recovering from a torn ACL suffered last winter during ski season and was cleared for golf just two weeks ago, while Zach McClung broke his wrist during a soccer game a month ago and is out for the entire sports season.
However, the Panthers rely heavily on junior Alex Folsom, who has posted consistent scores throughout the season and is Metzler’s clear No. 1.
“He is the hardest working golfer I have ever coached,” Metzler said. “If he has a part of his game that didn’t go as well, he will go out to the range right after and work on those things that were a struggle. He has a lot of interest in understanding the golf swing and enjoys aiding others when they are struggling with theirs.
“[On Friday], I expect that he will finally see all the hard work he has put into his game come together,” the coach added.
Junior Chandler Brewer has been steady throughout the season and is CA’s No. 2 golfer. Junior Kenny Bell, who is only in his second year playing the sport, owns a smooth swing and is level headed. Grass is hoping to shake off the rust of having not been competing and put up a good score Friday. Senior Megan King, who also plays soccer, joins Bell as relative newcomers to the sport.
Ashland
The Hornets have just four team members this year and with two of them having very little experience in the game it has been a learning season for coach Shari Ward’s squad.
Ashland has gone winless during the regular season, but Ward said the players have shown improvement throughout the fall in gradually lowering their scores. When Friday’s meet rolls around, she is just hoping for continued improvement.
“It is my personal hope that some may qualify as individuals for the state tourney, as I certainly think they are capable,” said the third-year coach.
Gabby Cyr is the lone senior and is in her third year of golf. Ward said her game continues to get better as she loves the sport and also participates in the ladies’ league at her home course, Portage Hills Country Club.
Junior Cody Blair is another returnee. He also plays on the Hornet soccer team which limits his practice time. However, she said “his game is strong and he continues to improve.”
Alex Gillis, a sophomore, returns for his second year. Ward said he sets high goals for himself for each practice and match and that “his performance is beginning to reflect those expectations.”
Wyatt Carr is a freshman who is new to the sport. He has improved steadily and Ward feels his dedication “will see him continue to improve in coming years.”
