2011 High School Golf overview

Several area high schools had solid conference seasons last year, and a handful are looking very good this season as well. here is a short breakdown of how the schools in the tri-county area are shaping up this season:

KVAC A

Oxford Hills had one of the more successful seasons in recent memory, cobbling together an eight-win campaign a year ago. Three key golfers are missing, but the Vikings should again be one of the stronger teams in the conference. Home course advantage is key for this team. Lewiston, meanwhile, also lost a couple of key, top-end players, but the Blue Devils are looking solid in the preseason and should at least come close to, if not surpass, their seven wins from a year ago. Edward Little has been steadily rebounding the past few seasons, and will be toe-to-toe with Lewiston this year in conference competition. Mt. Blue may take a small step back this year with heavy losses to graduation, but the young Cougars should show steady improvement as the season progresses.

KVAC B

Leavitt had a strong season a year ago, and will have to weather the addition of some new conference foes, but the Hornets should once again have a strong team playing in their conference. Oak Hill, meanwhile, has nowhere to go but up. Both schools have some very solid individuals who will also be vying for berths in the state individual tournament.

WMC

Poland has returned to rebuild-mode after a successful campaign a year ago, and the Knights will be hard-pressed to make waves this season. Some individuals could make their mark on the state stage. Gray-New Gloucester, meanwhile, was strong last season and should be strong again this season. Look for the Patriots to make a run at an appearance in the state tourney.

MVC

St. Dom’s will again be the class of this conference, and may well be the best Class C team in the state. The Saints are still very deep after running through the conference a year ago, and should again be the team to beat. Winthrop is back in the fold after a year off with low numbers. The Ramblers still have only four golfers, but those four should be good enough to overcome the forfeited point in each team match. Telstar had a solid season a year ago, and all of the Rebels’ golfers are back. Dirigo, meanwhile, graduated some serious talent, and have only five golfers in the fold this season. But that hasn’t slowed the Cougars’ optimism. Mountain Valley has some numbers out this season, but time will tell if the quality can match the quantity. Spruce Mountain, despite now drawing from two schools, had a hard time finding enough players. The there there this season will be one of learning the game and building for the future.

EWC

Rangeley is getting tired of playing second fiddle to Greenville. The Lakers have another good chance this season to avenge their runner-up finishes in recent seasons, but they will have to overcome history to do so. Buckfield continues to climb its way back into contention in the conference.