Patience is important when starting a sports program, especially one with as many rules as golf.

Five years worth of patience appear to have paid off for Poland.

Charlie Green, the Knights’ coach for all but their first season, has seen a steady rise in the quality of golfers since he has been with the team.

“This may be the best I’ve seen since coming in to coach,” said Green. “We don’t have many golfers that play all the time, or we didn’t used to, but now it’s shifting.”

Add to a bigger crop of experienced golfers a home course as tough as Poland Spring, and the team could become downright nasty for opponents.

“(Poland Spring has) taken some getting used to, even with the guys already on the team,” said Green.

For Poland, having a successful season means overcoming some stern challengers, namely Lake Region and St. Dom’s. All three schools play tough home courses, and each is well-stocked with talent.

For St. Dom’s, returning to last year’s success will mean that a group of young, experienced golfers must prove ready to play consistently at the varsity level.

Gray-New Gloucester lost a chunk of talent and will be hard-pressed to win in its strong division.

Fryeburg has assembled another solid team of golfers but lacks depth.

“Our top four are all playing very well,” said Fryeburg coach Tom Ackley. “This group of younger kids is way ahead of younger kids we’ve had in the past.”

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