ASHLAND, Maine — The ability to field varsity sports teams at Ashland District School in the past year has been a bit of a struggle.
There was no boys varsity soccer team in 2021 due to a lack of numbers and it was the same for baseball this past spring.
For golf, that is certainly not the scenario as sixth-year coach Jordan Beaulier has his largest roster ever, with nine coming out for this year’s squad.
“It’s tremendous that we have this many,” Beaulier said. “All of my former players returned, which does not always happen, and we have two new golfers. I think this large team will do big things and improve greatly.”
The Hornets are four years removed from their last Aroostook League championship, gaining the honors while playing on their home course at Portage Hills Country Club in 2018. Since then, the team has been in rebuild mode and Beaulier is hoping his squad is ready to turn the corner.
“Those students who have been part of the team the last few years have learned a lot and I am hopeful that the foundation they have built will help us for years to come,” he said.
Young golfers in the region benefit from being able to play at Portage Hills as Beaulier said anyone under the age of 18 gets to play for free.
“The club does a tremendous service, plus Mike Cote and myself continue to provide youth lessons throughout the summer and hold a camp for school-age youth,” Beaulier said, “and between the lessons and the camp we had a total of 20 golfers participate.”
Dakota Sutherland is one of four seniors on the team and serves as the team captain. He averages between 45 and 52 strokes per nine holes. Classmate Micah Calhoun is the No. 2 golfer, averaging in the 50-55 range, while his younger sister Ellie, a junior, is currently No. 3. Senior Clyde Hafford and sophomore Hunter Cunningham round out the team’s top five.
Benny Davis, a senior, and Naham Davis, a sophomore, are also back from last year, while the newcomers are sophomore Anabel Wadsworth and freshman Mason Pierce.
“I think this golf season will be extremely fun,” Beaulier said. “I have a great group of kids to work with and teach and I know they are going to show great improvement. And if we can get a few wins here and there, it will be a bonus.”
Ashland is scheduled to open its season on Friday, Aug. 26, at Portage Hills CC against Central Aroostook and Fort Kent.
