Robbie Watson graduated last June after a brilliant four-year career, which included an individual state title in 2013.
Larry Gardner has coached the team the past 10 years and for the last seven, including this one, the Tigers have earned the right to compete with the top squads in Maine. Their best finish came two years ago when they were state runners-up to St. Dominic.
This year’s team went 5-1 and is led by Jon Bernard, the No. 1 player who has averaged nearly 48 strokes per nine-hole round. Carter Bruce and twin sisters Sara and Sadie Edgecomb have all been solid starters, while senior Huffman is the No. 5 golfer.
“All the players have worked hard and improved, especially their short games, which we’ve emphasized,” Gardner said. “Sadie and Sara are first-year players [having played soccer last fall] who have really surprised me with how quickly they have improved and they have been key players behind our seventh Aroostook League championship.”
Gardner said Bruce owns a very good short game and has great potential, which, along with the expected addition of two or three newcomers, should help the Tigers contend again in 2016.
The coach plans to get his players on the course [Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro] “as many times as we can to let them get some experience and comfort with the layout.”
The team will play in a practice round Friday before competing the following day. And since they all qualified for the individual tourney Oct. 17, also at Natanis, Bernard and the Edgecombs will also get to play two additional rounds (another practice round and the tournament), “which will help in years to come as well,” Gardner said.
