Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference

Lewiston and Edward Little will both field young teams this year, with the difference there being the amount of golf the players on the Lewiston side of the bridge have played away from their team. The Blue Devils have several golfers who play nearly every day all summer, and that will help them in their quest to reach the state tournament. Edward Little, meanwhile, will be young with some developing players, and are a couple of years away from making a bigger splash.

Oxford Hills, as usual, will be in the mix, but a bit on the weaker side. Mt. Blue, meanwhile, ought to be right in the mix, but will face some tough competition on a regular basis in their division of the KVAC.

Gardiner, Waterville and Brunswick are teams to watch in this conference, too.

In Class B, Oak Hill finally broke through with a winning season last year, and though that climb might get tougher this year, the Raiders are definitely headed in the right direction.

Mountain Valley Conference

The Winthrop Ramblers lead the charge of local teams in the MVC this season. With all of their players returning from a year ago, they have a legitimate shot at a conference crown. Telstar, which has been solid in recent years, is rebuilding this season, but has five freshmen on which to lean in the future. Another few next year, and this program will be right back at the top.

Mountain Valley always fields a strong golf team, and only one major contributor from last year’s team is missing due to graduation. The Falcons ought to be in the hunt, too, and probably favored after a trip to the state tourney last year.

Three years into its program, Dirigo is hoping this is the year it can turn the corner and become competitive within the MVC, and Livermore Falls will likely show signs of progress as the Andies continue to strengthen every year.

Madison will pack a solid 1-2 punch and should be solid all year.

Western Maine Conference

Perhaps the deepest conference in the area, it’s also the most scattered, with Gray-New Gloucester in Class A and St. Dom’s in Class C. Those two schools will each contend for their respective state titles this year, and Class B Fryeburg and Lake Region will provide some great intraconference matchups.

The Saints are the defending Class C champions and will be doing everything they can to remain at the top.

Fryeburg returns most of its squad from last season and will again keep things tight with St. Dom’s and G-NG in the small pod.

Poland is still young, and is a few years away from being a true contender again.

Other teams in the conference to watch out for include Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth.

– Justin Pelletier