Lack of Practice Time on the Course Shows in Loss

The varsity golf team faced Deerfield at Candia Woods for their second match of the season this past Saturday. After beating Governor’s Academy, but losing to Phillips Andover in last weeks match, the team lost 9.5 to 2.5 against Deerfield Academy. Their record now stands at 1-2.

Even though the team lost, they showed impressive skill and potential, especially since three of the seven players who competed in the match were preps. One of the preps, Charlie Dubiel shot the lowest score of the match. While he was disappointed with the loss, Dubiel noted some improvements from the previous match.

“I feel like overall we played a little bit better than the last match, just because we were able to practice a little bit more,” Dubiel said. The team had only played on an actual golf course three times before this match, including their last match. With each moment on the course the team continues to improve.

Although they suffered a loss, the team showed a positive attitude. Prep Michelle Lee commented on this characteristic of the team. She was encouraged by her fellow teammate, senior Kyle Alexander, even when they were struggling.

“Regardless of how we did, he never stopped encouraging me and despite being one down with only several holes to go, it was the fact that we didn't give up that we managed to square our doubles match,” Lee said. “I really love our team spirit, which for me, is evident in our matches.”

Lee continued to explain some of the reasons why the team was not able to claim a victory, such as how Deerfield had a very strong team featuring several talented seniors.

Lower Hiroyuki Kuwana also commented on some of the problems that the team had during the match. He believes that certain areas of the team’s golf game could be improved, especially the teams short game, since 80% of golf is played 100 yards from the hole.

“If we work on that, then we will definitely become a stronger team and win a lot more individual matches which will help our team overall,” Kuwana said.

Kuwana suggested that the team should utilize their practices better in order to help improve for the next match. He believes that they could focus on their short game by hitting shots around the green everyday before they play holes.

Yet despite the areas that need to be improved, Kuwana still has high hopes for the team and views the match as a sign that the team needs to push themselves.

“Overall it just shows that as individuals and also as a team there are parts where we can all work on to improve our game,” he explained. “Next time, we will know what to do better and learn from our mistakes.”

Although it will be a while before the golf team faces Deerfield again, the athletes played Tilton on Wednesday and will face Tabor and Loomis at home on Saturday.