Huskies had some bite today at Apple Hill.

The Huskies traveled south today for another preseason match against a non league team at Apple Hill golf course in East Kingston NH. Phillips Exeter narrowly overtook New Hampton 5-4. 

We brought eight players to the match, and within two holes, all eight players feet were soaked. The course was wet from prior storms, and wet from an overall rainy Spring. The wind was gusting at 20 mph +, the temps were not ideal, but the Huskies still put up quite a fight in all eight matches.

With one of the teams captains Mark Belcher missing from the match, the other players moved up in spots and some new players got an opportunity to match. One of the notable rounds today was from newcomer to the team, Max Brown. Max played well enough today in his match to earn himself a spot as the number six starter in our next match. He found himself down two holes after five holes played, and got the match to even and keeping it that way right till the final putt, earning a half point for the team. 

Team co captain Will Wu playing in the one spot, turned in a remarkably low score for the conditions we faced. Will’s scorecard shows exactly what determination and focus and discipline can do for your golf game. After starting off with a double bogey on the first hole, Will took to the second tee and settled right in to his game. He kept his match even until the sixth hole, where he dropped a birdie to take a one up lead in the match. He took that lead to the ninth tee box and won the match on the ninth green by two. Will’s solid play earned a point in his match and secured the only best ball point that was up for grabs in the entire match.

Playing in the three spot was a veteran of the team, Nate Blanchard. Nate shot an impressive 4 over par 39, with two birdies thrown in the mix. Unfortunately Nate ran into a buzz saw in his opponent, who fired an even more impressive round of one over par 36. Course knowledge plays a big role in matches, and his opponent had that, along with a game that was on point. Not much you can do except tip your cap and acknowledge a well played round by your competitor.

Freshman Eli Arvidson has shown he is ready to take the helm of the number five spot on the roster. Eli won his match on the final hole after stepping to the ninth tee up by one. He closed the door on the match by winning the ninth hole and securing the only other winning point for the team. Eli has shown that he has a consistent enough game to stay in the starting line up for at least a few matches. Time will tell which other players on the roster will advance in the line up. At the moment we seem to have at least 9 golfers that are of the same golf caliber, that will be competing for the number 6 spot on a weekly basis.  Coach Schwartz and I are seeing tremendous improvements in each of the players, and we expect the competition for the starting line up spots, and the line up changes, to become pretty active and ever changing.

Newcomer and sophomore Ray MacDougall, shot well enough to halve his match. Ray has shown steady improvements and comfortability in his golf game over his time in the simulator, and after two live rounds. Ray shot just one stroke more than Max, leaving him to compete within the team for the sixth spot in this Fridays match.

Jack Kidd, Grady Moore and Colin Flanders, all played a respectable 9 holes of golf, but found themselves playing against opponents that had just a little more pep in their game for this particular day.

Our next match will be played this Wednesday, the 17th, at Canterbury Woods CC, taking on KUA. Our home course Laconia CC will not be open till the 26th of this month due to Mother Nature. Canterbury Woods CC has been extremely helpful and accommodating to us, to help keep our short season, on schedule. A huge shoutout and thanks to Canterbury Woods from the team, for helping us get through the start of our season. 

 
ss