Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

HIGH SCHOOL GOLF NOTEBOOK

Maranacook happy after strong start

Black Bears win 1st match, work on course management

By Travis Lazarczyk tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

Maranacook coach Ryan Meserve liked his team's effort in a 6-3 win against Waterville last Tuesday at the Augusta Country Club. Maranacook's freshman Luke Ruffing was medalist, shooting a 41.

The Black Bears are working on course management, Meserve said.

"Slowly but surely, you get lower scores," Meserve said.

The young Black Bears are getting used to the undulating and quick greens of Augusta's front nine.

"They're starting to realize where to place their shots," Meserve said. "It's getting fast out there, which is good for us. It's kind of a home course advantage."

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Winslow High School's golf match against Maranacook scheduled for today has been pushed back to Tuesday.

The Black Raiders will host a three-team match against Maranacook and Waterville on the Natanis Arrowhead course, Winslow coach Bruce Stafford said.

"We couldn't get the course on Labor Day," Stafford said.

It's the start of a tough week for the Black Raiders, who play Thursday at Maine Central Institute.

"Maranacook, I think, is pretty good this year. Waterville, I'm not sure," Stafford said. "MCI should be pretty good."

With the regular season compressed into September, every match is important. For players who didn't pick up a club all summer, there's no time to find their game.

"The last week of September, you're done. So you've got to perform," Stafford said. "You collect rust fast. It's a feel kind of game."

Stafford said he's trying to get his team to think less about the opposing player each is matched against and more about playing against the course. If that happens, team scores will come down.

"For us, our goal for the low four (players) is 175," Stafford said.

In a match last week at Arrowhead against Leavitt, the Black Raiders shot 188.

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Messalonskee has eyes on the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A title. The Eagles lost the conference championship to Cony last year, and started this season with a pair of strong wins Tuesday at Belgrade Lakes.

Messalonskee defeated Erskine 7 1/2-1 1/2 and beat Lawrence by the same score.

Josh Smith, Denver Jalette and Justin Rollins each won a pair of matches for the Eagles, and each shot a 43 to share medalist honors.

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com