FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Coming off an undefeated season in 2021 and earning a trip to the Class C state championship, the Fort Fairfield Tigers have set goals of doing the same this fall.
“Hopefully we can finish undefeated again, which is going to be tough because I know the surrounding schools have gained talent and have gotten better,” said fourth-year coach Noah Bernard. “The next goal would be to win the Aroostook League championship again and qualify for states, and I believe with the returning players and the new talented freshmen we have, it is possible.”
The Tigers are led by sophomore Michael Bruce, the team’s No. 1 golfer who averaged 39 strokes per nine holes last season and captured top honors as an individual in the Aroostook County championship 18-hole event with a score of 80.
Bruce followed that up by carding a 77 at the state competition at Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro and placing fifth in the event. Bruce even captured the Cary Classic at Caribou Country Club in July, besting a field of 90 golfers, including some of the top adult golfers in the region.
“He is very steady and has great course management,” Bernard said.
Playing No. 2 behind Bruce is sophomore Brett Senal, a long hitter who has worked to improve his short game, according to Bernard. Freshman Cayden Ala will play third in the Tigers lineup and is “a great athlete with a great golf swing,” Bernard said.
Freshmen Mason Mitchell, Graedon King and George Solomon join senior Blake Senal in rounding out Fort Fairfield’s roster.
“The whole team has great potential,” Bernard said.
The coach played golf at Fort Fairfield High School and his teams were perennial County champions and state qualifiers.
“It’s a tradition and I would love to keep it going,” said Bernard, whose Tiger teams had also taken league honors in 2019 and 2020.
