Savage pleased with play of young squad
Sports Reporter
CARIBOU — When Shawn Savage took over as coach of the Caribou Vikings golf team during the off-season, he knew there would be a few obstacles. One of the first orders of business: differentiating two golfers with the same name.
Staff photo/Kevin Sjoberg
Matt Kamm, a sophomore on the Caribou varsity golf team, fires a shot out of a sand trap during his round at Presque Isle Country Club Thursday. Kamm was his team’s top performer on the afternoon with a 45.
“We have two Ben Wymans,” Savage said. “It makes communication a bit challenging at times.”
Ben Wyman, the sophomore, is one of four golfers back from last year’s team. Ben Wyman, the senior, returns after taking last season off.
They are joined by six other golfers who hope to be competitive in the remainder of their regular season meets. So far, Caribou has recorded a 1-7 record, with the only victory coming at Old Town Sept. 8.
“Although we have won only one match so far, I’m satisfied with the progress as all the players have either been consistent or improved their scores as the season has progressed,” Savage said. “The team goal at this point it to make a run each match at our team best of 175, which we shot at Jato against Mattanawcook, where the Penobscot Valley Conference championships will be played, and at Presque Isle Monday.”
Caleb Chapman is the Vikings’ No. 1 golfer. Savage calls the sophomore, who averages 44 strokes per nine-hole match, “a steady performer.”
“His effect is always one of control and quiet confidence,” the coach said.
Sophomores Wyman (45 average), Matt Kamm (46) and Reggie Rideout (49) and seniors Wyman (51) and Lance LaMothe (48) are others who have been in the mix as starters, while junior Dustin Denbow (59), sophomore Derek Dufour (60) and freshman Corey Rideout (61) round out the squad.
Kamm and Reggie Rideout are the only other returnees out of this group.
“I hope to bring a sense of pride to the golf team,” Savage said. “That is developed through commitment and hard work. I’ll expect both from all the [team members].
“I want them to show steady improvement and pull for each other.”
As indicated by the team’s current record, the Vikings are a “work in progress,” according to Savage.
“Last year’s team lost a number of good golfers. We’re young, so I’m willing to let the chips fall where they may as far as our record is concerned,” he said.
“I expect them all to commit their time and energy to becoming better individual players and great teammates. Hopefully, we can improve our kids’ ability to score and pull together as a team.”
