Division: I
Coach: Mark McDonough (1st year)
Last year: 12-8, tied 9th in tournament
Returning starters: Sean McDonough, jr.; Evan Makris, jr.; Ryan Merchant, jr.; Matthew Burns, so.
Top newcomers: Colin O’Brien, fr.; Michael Stoddard, fr.; Matthew Hauschild, so.; Tyler Bruns, jr.
Outlook: Coach McDonough expects this will be a rebuilding season for the Tide golf program without any seniors. Leadership will shift to the eight juniors on the roster, all returning players from last fall.
“Our top four to five positions are established, but the remaining three to four match positions are all up for grabs,” McDonough said. “The team members have all been working hard this summer at their respective clubs, and their energy and enthusiasm is encouraging.”
Teams to beat: Bedford, Keene, Pinkerton
Division: II
Coach: Tim Tenasco (18th year)
Last year: 14-8, 8th in tournament
Returning starters: Derek Elwell, sr.; Max Begin, sr.; Jake Flanagan, sr.; Ander Wensberg, sr.; Brandon Lamarre, jr.
Top newcomers: Cole Perra, soph.; Aiden Perra, soph.
Outlook: The Bears lost a pair of talented seniors from last year’s team in Joel Boulanger and Dylan Andrews, who finished 10th and 11th, respectinvely, in D-II last year. But Tenasco said, “the team is working hard to improve their game every day and striving to compete in a very tough division.”
Teams to beat: Hanover, Windham, Souhegan, Kingswood
Division: II
Coach: Matt Caputo (1st year)
Last year: 2-21, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Ryan Rothdiener, sr.; Jacob Greene, so., Joseph Simeone, sr.; Kyle Hagman, sr.; Tyler Hazzard, jr.
Outlook: Ryan Rothdiener became the first Stark player to qualify for the individual state tournament last year where he finished tied for 16th. His return, along with four others, should help the Generals improve upon their two-win total from last season.
“We have a variety of talent and experience,” Caputo said. “They are all willing to work hard and work together to grow in the game.”
Division: II
Coach: Beth Hamilton (8th year)
Last year: 6-19, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Justin LeGere, sr.; Steven Cavanaugh, sr.; Sean Moore, sr.; Garrett Frew, jr.; Peter Landry, soph.; Jake Desilets, jr.
Top newcomers: Dom Riccio, sr.
Outlook: With a core of returning seniors who have played since freshman year, the Spartans will continue to pursue their main goal of making the state tournament.
Teams to beat: Windham, Hanover, Kingswood
Belmont
Division: III
Coach: Kevin Charleston (15th year)
Last year: 8-18, did not make tournament
Returning starters: Wyatt Paquin, sr.; Robbie Skaff, sr.; Hunter Davies, jr.; Karley Towne, jr.; Micheal Marrone, jr.; Will Robarge, so.; Paige Irving, so.
Top newcomer: Eamon Kelley, fr.
Outlook: Charleston enters his 15th season at the helm of the Belmont golf program with a mix of players from freshmen to seniors. The Raiders will be led by Paquin and Robarge, who Charleston expects to score well after each spent the summer working on their game.
“After those two, we have some players who have worked hard at their game the past few seasons, and now it’s their time to shine,” he said. “The attitude among the team has been great, and I look forward to the season.”
Teams to beat: Bow
Division: III
Coach: Matt Davis (1st year)
Last year: 27-0, D-III champion
Returning starters: Jason Howe, jr.; Jake Mielcarz, so.
Top newcomers: Nate Benoit, fr.; Justin Murphy, fr.; Brandon Tibbetts, sr.; Mats Dartnell, sr.
Outlook: There are some big holes to fill in the Bow lineup with the loss of D-III individual champion Doug Champagne, Jack Olson (tied seventh), Ronan Lucey (tied ninth), and Colin Plumb (11th). But Davis, the Falcons new coach taking over for Mike Seraikis, is confident his team will continue to be competitive in the division.
“I see a lot of potential in this group,” Davis said. “I’m looking forward to seeing who can step up and fill some of the voids.”
Teams to beat: Lebanon, Derryfield
Division: III
Coach: Dave Muzzey (18th year)
Last year: 16-8, 7th in tournament
Returning starters: Jake Bears, sr., Will Chadwick, sr., Sean Higgins, sr., Solomon Neuwirt, sr.
Top newcomers: Molli Mayo, so,, Bennett Pitts, sr.
Outlook: The Cougars return their top four scorers from last year’s squad, and that group of upperclassmen should provide the leadership and dedication needed to guide the pair of newcomers.
“The greatest strength is experience, both regular and postseason,” Muzzey said.
Kearsarge will look to focus on endurance during a short, demanding season and playing its best golf entering the final stretch of the year will be key for a team with goals of reaching the state tournament.
Teams to beat: Derryfield, Lebanon, Bow
Division: IV
Coach: Brian McGinn (4th year)
Last year: 7-12
Returning starters: Ryan Gillett, jr.; Lyam Chapman, jr.
Top newcomers: Zoe Galatas, jr.; Kaysyn Walker, jr.; Richard Peschel, so.; Will Livingston, so.
Outlook: If you ask McGinn, this team has, “a wealth of potential to make big gains this year.” The Hillcats are poised to return to the state tournament and improve their overall performance this fall.
Teams to beat: Mascenic, Moultonborough, Sunapee, Hopkinton, Farmington
Division: IV
Coach: Dave Chase (2nd year)
Last year: 12-11, 4th in tournament
Returning starters: Larse Burack, jr.; Trent Gagnon, sr.; Keirnan Bryne, so.; Ryan Hughes, jr.; Andrew Fairneny, so.; Colby Malcolm, so.
Top newcomers: Colby Marshall, so.; Brandon Boris, jr.
Outlook: The Hawks surprised a few teams last year and qualified for the state tournament with the seventh seed and went on to finish fourth. Hopkinton lost its best player in Nick Fairneny to graduation last spring, but the Hawks also welcome back several of their strongest players.
“Look for the trio of Burack, Gagnon and Bryne to lead the young group,” Chase said. “With 13 golfers on the team, everyone will have opportunities to score.”
Teams to beat: Moultonboro, Sunapee, Newport, Mascenic, White Mountains