TOPSHAM

The 2016 season was magical for the Mt. Ararat High School golf team.

Led by freshman Caleb Manuel and senior Cam Cox, the Eagles rolled through an undefeated regular season, won the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championship, and despite not needing to play into the state tournament due to the KVAC title, rolled to a win.

The State Class A team championship came down to one stroke. Gorham and Mt. Ararat, tied through four golfers, were forced to look to the No. 5 player as a tiebreaker, and the Rams won the title, leaving the Eagles in second.

“Last season was very special,” said Mt. Ararat coach Gerry Caron, who returns a solid core of players this year, a season that begins today with the Eagles on the road against Oxford Hills before hosting Edward Little on Monday at Highland Green. “It is not easy to win as many matches as we did last year.”

Manuel, just a sophomore, is back as his team’s No. 1 player this year. He had to take some time off during the summer after sustaining a broken ankle. According to Caron, Manuel is back and ready to go.

“Caleb is a big factor for us. He helps to make his teammates better players,” said Caron.

A key loss for Mt. Ararat is Cox. “You don’t replace a Cam Cox,” acknowledged Caron.

Still, the coach has a solid core behind Manuel, with junior Cade Charron at No. 2, followed by classmates Will Kavanaugh and Ben Hickson. Senior Blair Kopp is expected to move up from the junior varsity squad and compete for one of the top five spots.

“Our top four have played a lot of golf, and they all will be back next year as well,” said Caron.

Charron finished eighth in the Maine Junior Amateur earlier this month.

Playing their home matches at Highland Green gives the Eagles a big home course advantage, according to Caron.

“I am big on playing consistently, and if you play this course smart and avoid having to look for your ball in the woods, you will do well,” said Caron, whose squad hosts rival Brunswick twice, two of three meetings between the squads this year among 12 matches.

Brunswick

For the Dragons, the 2016 season turned into a battle for second place in KVAC South with Lewiston and Edward Little, with Brunswick finishing 3-5 in the regular season and taking ninth at the KVAC Qualifier.

This year, head coach Mal Strange predicts the same thing as the division has grown from five to six teams with the addition of Morse.

“We have a good chance of being second in the division,” said Strange, whose Dragons open today at Edward Little before hosting Lewiston on Monday at Brunswick Golf Club.

Strange has a solid No. 1 back in senior captain Zack Grant, a player that worked hard throughout the summer on the Junior MSGA Tour.

“Zack has great potential, and is a smart kid,” said Strange of Grant, who was 29th at the state individual championship last season.

Also returning for Brunswick is senior Jack Bates and junior Sam Sharpe, along with senior Bronte Fontaine and junior Emma Parke, two of seven girls among the 22 players who turned out for tryouts this season.

“We have a lot of freshmen who have potential, and we will be working hard to fill that number six position,” added Strange.

Freeport

First-year coach Mike Lawson takes over the Falcons this season, a year after Freeport went 3-8.

The Falcons are slated to open their season on Thursday at Gray-New Gloucester in a three-team scramble, with York joining in. Freeport kicks off its home slate at Freeport Country Club on Sept. 6 against Sacopee Valley.

So far, Lawson likes we has seen.

“Overall, we are excited to be able to play, build our game and work hard to be a competitive golf club this year,” said the coach, who returns a solid core of players.

Ethan Sclar, a senior who finished 11th in the Class B individual last season, is back, along with juniors Sullivan Smith and Liam Gould. Sophomore Molly Whelan, a qualifier in the women’s individual last season, also provides Freeport with a solid all-around player. Sophomores Steele Young and Tom Robinson join several new faces this season as well.

Another key during the preseason has been the addition of FCC club pro Jason Harris to the mix.

“Jason has been involved with some range work, along with practicing around the greens and giving pointers for newer players in becoming familiar with the game and its many points of etiquette and respect,” said Lawson. “We are looking to take a methodical approach. We are also working on personal tempo during shot making, envisioning shots, execution and understanding each golfer’s unique mechanics.”

Morse

Jeff Peabody replaces Leon Oliver as the leader of the Shipbuilders, who are coming off a 2-8 campaign.

Morse will play a much different schedule this season, facing KVAC Class A South opponents Brunswick, Mt. Ararat, Lewiston, Edward Little and Oxford Hills during its 12-game slate.

Peabody, who coached at John Bapst for 15 years and is a 20-year PGA member, has 23 players out for the Shipbuilders, with his goal to build a junior program.

“Starting this year, we are going to build this program, teach these young people life,” said the coach, whose squad hosts Lewiston today at 3:30 p.m. at Bath Golf Club.

Peabody said Bath Golf Club has been “very helpful” in providing opportunities for his players. His Shipbuilders have spent a large amount of time on the driving range.

“This team is all about working together,” Peabody said. “We need to retain those players. Also, all are welcome to come out and join this team. We are certainly open to new golfers.”