HOULTON, Maine — Fourth-year golf coach Dave Grant is cautiously optimistic his team of golfers have all of the pieces in place to bring home a championship.
“We are looking to improve with every match,” coach Grant said. “I have four seniors who I have had since I first started at Houlton and we would really like to bring home a state championship. We have been close, we finished second my first year with them and third the last two years, missing by just a few strokes. I would like to see them win it all this year, they have really worked hard for it.”
Members of the team this year are seniors: Ryan Dee, Parker Brewer, Aaron Sewell and Bill Phillips; junior Drew Marino; sophomores Devin Ivey, Dungan Bradshaw; and freshmen Nick Brewer, Duncan McCormack and Wyatt Harvey.
“Ryan (Dee) and Parker (Brewer) are who I am depending on to get us over the top,” Grant said. “Ryan is playing the best golf of his career right now and Parker is also playing really well. Ryan and Parker are co-captains this year and I am also depending on them to help the underclassmen know what to expect during matches because they both have been there.”
Grant said he hopes that everyone plays the best golf they possibility can, but most importantly he hopes to be able to teach them the nine core values that the first tee has established that represent some of the many inherently positive values connected with the game of golf. Those core values include honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.
The Shires lost Cameron Clark to graduation, leaving a big void on the team. Clark is playing golf at Husson College and is likely going to make an immediate impact on their team.
The play of the younger players could be a key to success for the Shires. And while relying on underclassmen might worry some coaches, Grant said he relishes the opportunity.
“I am losing four seniors this year and we are going to be very young the next couple of years,” Grant said. “It is going to be fun to watch their progression and see how Drew Marino develops into a leadership role for this team (next year).”
