By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
CARIBOU — Last year’s Viking golf team did not have the luxury of counting on senior leadership, as all of the members of the team were underclassmen.
That has changed with the 2011 squad, as the four seniors are hungry to make their mark.
The Vikings fell a few strokes short last year of qualifying as a team for the state championships during the Penobscot Valley Conference tournament. Coach Shawn Savage is hoping this veteran group can get them to the Class B state event.
The PVC qualifier is set for Sept. 29 at JaTo Highlands in Lincoln, the state team championship is Oct. 8 at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro and the state individual championship is Oct. 15, also at Natanis.
“Throughout the early season, every golfer has shown improvement from last year with their scores and ability,” said Savage, who is in the midst of his third season as Caribou’s coach. “The group is very focused and easy to coach. They are willing to put the time in and are open to suggestions.
“As coach, I really want to see this group of seniors make it to States. They are a great bunch of kids and deserving,” he added.
Senior Matt Kamm qualified for the individual States last year and shot an 89 during his round at Natanis in difficult conditions. Kamm averaged 42 strokes per round during the regular season and is a “gritty competitor,” according to Savage.
Ben Wyman, who averaged a 41 a season ago, is another senior who Savage says “owns a textbook swing.” His 2010 highlight was breaking par with a 35 at Houlton Community Golf Club.
Classmate Caleb Chapman (44 average in 2010) is a solid veteran who Savage says “adds a calming influence to the team.” Chapman played in the individual state tourney as a sophomore.
Reggie Rideout is the fourth senior who has shown the ability of turning in solid rounds as well.
“With four seniors on the team, the preseason and early season have been driven by them,” Savage said. “It’s always a challenge how much you want to tweak a golf swing once you are into the season since you usually take a step back to improve when you do. The off season is when major changes are made or attempted.
“The season is so short that you are better off making and suggesting minor adjustments and listening to the kids themselves. They’ll tell you where they need to improve and when they do, the improvement is quicker as they understand what needs to happen,” he added.
Savage said Kamm, Wyman, Chapman and Rideout recognize this and make it a smoother job for him. They also teach the younger golfers to be more focused and aware of the process, he added, and their input helps shape the practice plan each day.
The team’s other three members are junior Cory Rideout (Reggie’s younger brother), sophomore Connor Thibeault and freshman Katie Pelletier.
In the only match of last week, the Vikings saw their regular season record even at 2-2 after a 171-179 loss at Houlton.
Caribou did have the co-medalists, as both Wyman and Chapman shot 41s on the day. Kamm carded a 45, while Cory Rideout and Reggie Rideout came in with scores of 53 and 55, respectively. The team’s substitutes, Thibeault and Pelletier, recorded scores of 52 and 57, respectively.
Cole McLaughlin and Doug Dickison led Houlton with 42s on the afternoon.
