Sports Editor
ASHLAND — After a brief hiatus, golf has returned with a vengeance at Ashland High School. The Hornets had a successful season, blasting their way to an impressive 9-3 record on the year. According to first-year coach Bill Harris, who also coaches junior varsity basketball and boys and girls volleyball at Ashland, much of the team’s success stems from the individual abilities of his talented young golfers. The 2009 Hornets included seniors Brandon Labbe and Taylor Condon; junior Jordan Beaulier; sophomores Dylan Cyr-Cormier and Amos Ward; and freshman Mark Corella. Leading the charge for the Hornets this year was Corella. Though only a freshman, Corella quickly become Ashland’s best all-around golfer.
“Mark loves golf,” coach Harris said. “His strength as a golfer is his consistency. He rarely makes a mistake, making it tough to play him. He is also mentally tough and seems so far to be un-fazed by playing No. 1 for Ashland.”
The coach added that despite the fact that Corella is the top golfer for the team, is well aware that he is but one member of the squad.
“He knows he can’t beat everybody by himself,” Harris said.
Those words rang true for Ashland at the Aroostook League championships, held Sept. 18 in Fort Fairfield. Ashland did not have enough golfers to compete as a team, due to prior commitments by some of the team members.
Corella shot a 94 at the event, missing the cutoff for the state individual tournament by four strokes. Condon was the only other Hornet golfer at the event, shooting a 116.
Still, if Harris can keep his young golfers focused through the off season, Ashland may prove to be a formidable opponent in years to come.
