Huskies Track Down a Win in the Woods

The Huskies hosted Kimball Union Academy at Canterbury Woods on Wednesday. Our home course Laconia CC is still closed due to ground conditions being wet, after a snowy start to the Spring. The starters were able to get a practice round in the day before with the coaches at Canterbury to get a feel for the green speeds and the course layout. This proved to be a helpful round, as the Huskies would need help from all spots in the rotation to earn a win. 

Team co captain Will Wu shot a one over par 37, only to be handed a loss in his match. His opponent matched well and shot even par. Will tipped his cap after a handshake, to acknowledge a well played round. It’s tough to beat birdies and his opponent had three. Will took the match to the ninth hole, down one. That is a battle of a match. Well played capt.

Team co captain Mark Belcher is waiting for his putter to come alive. His words…..Once that happens, watch out. Mark faced off with a tough opponent, and that is very apparent by his score card. Mark shot one shot better than his opponent, but as we know, in match play format, the lowest score doesn’t necessarily mean you will win your match. Down one on the ninth tee is not an enjoyable spot to be in, but if anyone can handle that pressure, it’s  Mark. A half point may seem like a disappointment when you step off the green. Until you see the rest of the team come in, and realize how important that half point is. Every shot matters and every point matters. Mark recognizes that every time he takes the tee. Well played capt.

Shortly before teeing off, our number three and four starters, Jack and Nate, along with coach Belmonte, decided to shake things up just a little, and swap one another’s starting spot. Match ups and strategy play a big role in match play, and this turned out to be an important move. Both Nate and Jack won their matches and the best ball point. After matching up Jacks score with the number three on the KUA team, had Jack stayed in the three spot, the entire match would have had a different result for the Huskies. You don’t have to have the round of your life, to win a match, and Jack and Nate are well aware of that. That’s what makes them such great match play competitors. Well played to you both.

You never know what’s going on in the groups playing ahead of you. Which is why it’s so important to stay in your own game. You can’t control the scoring for the players in another group, you can only control your own game. If you do that, then you can find a way to control your opponents game. Freshman starter Eli Arvidson kept his own game in check in the number five spot, and in turn, controlled the tempo of the match and kept his opponents game at bay. Finding fairways and hitting greens in regulation, are two ways to wear down your opponent. He did just that. Eli won his match and played well enough to secure a half point in the best ball match within the foursome. Every point matters and Eli is becoming very aware of that. Well played Eli.

With fourteen players on the team, and only six spots to go to matches, the number six spot will be a busy and sought after spot. For this match, Sophomore Max Brown earned himself the spot. Max played well enough in the team practice round to advance forward in the rotation for this go around. Max hung in there well throughout the 9 holes against his opponent, and shot very respectable, but fell just a little short of gaining a half point. It was a solid showing from a first time starter in match play format. Well played Max.

One thing that is for sure, is that you never know how the match or the hole will end up till the final putt, and every shot matters. The Huskies recognize this and demonstrate it every time they take the tee. It doesn’t always go the way of a victory, but staying in the match the whole way through, gives you a better chance. 

Well played Huskies

Next match will be against Proctor Academy at Lake Sunapee CC.