Local golf teams look for huge improvements

The 2011 golf season has kicked off and several teams in York County should be better than a year ago.

Starting with the Thornton Academy, the Golden Trojans didn’t lose any key players from last year’s squad that finished 5-5, but competed in every match.

The Golden Trojans also return No. 1 player Dillon Dunbar. The senior had a stellar season last year finishing fifth in the individual state championships.

“He will be the cornerstone of the team,” said Thornton coach Mike Verrier, who began his 23rd year with the team. “This talented senior should win a lot of matches before the season is over.”

Anchoring Dunbar will be seniors Brandon Veilleux and Jake Woodman, as well as Cameron Jackman, Nate Lareau and Brett Braasch.

“This year’s team could challenge for the division title and earn a spot at the State Tournament,” Verrier said. “However, we need to defeat teams like defending State Champions Gorham and a strong Bonny Eagle squad.”

In Old Orchard Beach, it could be senior Mikey Rague’s time to shine this season.

He became the Seagulls No. 1 player this season after Sean Curtis, Brett Allen and Tyler Stack graduated in the spring.

Old Orchard will also look at seniors Jonah Goyet and Christina Coleman to score points.

“We want to improve each and every day,” said coach John Regan, who begins his 13th year leading the squad. “We want to strive for a winning season and qualify for the states in October.”

One of the most successful teams in York County the past few years has been the Kennebunk Rams.

Coach Pat Moody, who enters his 13th year coaching the team, could have another stellar squad this season.

Last year the Rams went 7-3 and qualified for the states. It couldn’t get past Gorham and Bonny Eagle. That could be different this year as Jack Kennedy, Niko Haritos and Will Bonney return to the squad.

They will need to make up for the loss of Charlie Haritos and Tom Snow, but Moody said he’s confident that can happen.

“We should be competitive,” he said.

The Biddeford Tigers have a new man at the helm this season with coach Guy Gagnon.

He inherits a squad that didn’t qualify for states, but returns Ben Cote, Cory Greenleaf, Patrick Laverierre, Matt Mcquirk, Jon Field, Nat Crepeau and Nate McKeown.

They should be much improved from a year ago.

“The team is balanced with each of our top players having the potential to be competitive,” Gagnon said. “Consistency will be the primary factor if we are to be contenders. We have the physical talent to qualify for the state team championships and also to send a few players to the state individual championships. How our players handle the mental aspects of the game will probably determine how successful we become.”

The Wells Warriors also return Porter Rooney, Scott Zinck, Alex Chadbourne, Nick Audet, Connor Pease and Tyler Wuerthner. Add in Elias McKaig and Nicki Moody as key newcomers and Wells should improve over last year’s 6-4 record.

“Our six player positions are rather fluid as spots can change based on performances at matches and challenge matches that follow,” Wells coach Jay Audet said. “Audet, Zinck, Pease, Chadbourne and Rooney will undoubtedly make up the top five spots (with that being the order thus far) and McKaig and Moody competing for the sixth position. Tyler Wuerthner may find a way into the 6th spot but he decided just recently to return and will need some practice time before he can get into the lineup.”

The Sanford Redskins last season went 5-3 and return several strong players in Cameron Small, Aaron Rivard, and Jake White. The team also welcomes Ben Bell.

It did lose Josh Young, Justin Owen and Kevin Martineau from last year’s team.

But coach Jon Jacques, who enters his seventh season, said the team will be strong.

“We will be very competitive and tough to beat at home, he said. “Our hope is to win our division and compete at the team state tourney in October. We have started with two big wins the first against Kennebunk, last year’s division winner. I have a small group of hard working kids that have a great attitude and love the game.”

Regardless of what happens this season, there should be a lot of good golf played in York County this year.

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