MARS HILL, Maine — The Central Aroostook Panthers golf team opened its season Monday, Aug. 22, with a home match against Fort Kent, and 15th-year coach Adam Metzler is looking forward to a successful campaign with what he calls a “well-balanced team.”
The Panthers’ roster includes two seniors, three juniors, a sophomore and two freshmen.
MARS HILL, Maine — August 24, 2022 — Members of the Central Aroostook golf team are, from left, Jack McQuade (Easton), Wyatt Allen, Colby Burlock, Dayton Taylor, Caden Bell, Brighton Kingsbury, Abram McCrum, Cooper Mahan and coach Adam Metzler. Absent from photo is Trace Kinney. (Contributed photo/Adam Metzler)
“Typically I have had chunks of kids, meaning they are all in the same grade so when they graduate, the team is starting over with younger players,” Metzler said. “Having it spread out is really nice because as kids graduate, I have experienced players stepping up and young players coming in that don’t have as much pressure put on them.”
The Panthers were the runners-up in the Aroostook League a season ago, finishing behind Fort Fairfield.
“Last season was challenging as we struggled a lot with [COVID-19] quarantines which really hurt,” Metzler said. “The players that were able to play really stepped up but our No. 1 player sadly suffered a number of quarantines and was not able to participate in many matches or the championship.”
Central Aroostook has five returnees in juniors Wyatt Allen and Abram McCrum, senior Brighton Kingsbury, sophomore Trace Kinney and senior Cooper Mahan.
Metzler said Allen possesses a great attitude and is willing to put in the time to improve. “He has been working hard to tighten up his game and is really starting to see the rewards of that hard work,” said the coach.
McCrum is working at gaining a repeatable swing and has improved his scores significantly, according to Metzler. Kingsbury and Kinney are second-year golfers who are also competing on the Panthers’ soccer team.
“Last year Brighton took to golf quickly and worked hard to learn the basics and this year he is taking those basics and running with them,” Metzler said. “Trace has worked hard on his golf swing and this year it’s beginning to show. He also has a great attitude on the course and is always positive.”
Mahan is also beginning his second season with the team and has also taken to the sport quickly. Metzler said he continually takes lessons to improve his game and enters into a number tournaments to help in learning how to play with pressure.”
Freshmen Dayton Taylor and Caden Bell have both shown a great foundation to build upon over the coming years. The coach said both are willing to put in the time on the range and putting green and have a great attitude on the course.
Junior Colby Burlock is also new to the squad and Metzler said he also has a solid foundation and works hard to improve and learn the game.
Jack McQuade of Easton High School will be playing alongside the Panthers and represent the Bears as an individual.
The Panthers will host this year’s Aroostook League championships at Mars Hill Country Club. A team score of 400 or below will advance the team to the state championships at Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro for the first time since 2017. Metzler feels like that score is within reach.
“The team is focused on coming under that cut line, and a few students have the capability to also qualify for the individual championships,” Metzler said, “so I’m hopeful they will succeed in their goals of making it as a team and as individuals.”
Central Aroostook has other home matches later in the season scheduled Sept. 12 against Hodgdon and Sept. 19 against Southern Aroostook and Ashland. Prior to that are road matches against Ashland (at Portage Hills Country Club), Fort Kent, Hodgdon (at Houlton Community Golf Course) and Southern Aroostook (at Va-Jo-Wa in Island Falls).
