Though Goffstown High School will not play postseason golf this season, varsity coach Jarrod Brooks reflects on the year as one of learning and growth.

The Grizzlies, who finished 11-22 on the season, compiled an average team score of 206 among five golfers.

BY RYAN O'CONNOR

The number, said Brooks, is significant because it represents a drop of 13 strokes per match when compared to the 2006 season.

Moreover, the team’s win total has increased each of Brooks’ four seasons as mentor, from a team struggling for five victories to one capable of competing with some of the best golfers in the state, said the coach.

On Monday, Sept. 24, the Grizzlies shot 193 at Green Meadow Country Club in Hudson, losing to host Nashua South, which tallied 189, but defeating Manchester Central, which shot 210, and Alvirne, which combined for 217.

That team score, said Brooks, is the lowest in his tenure at Goffstown High School.

Junior Andrew Morris led the charge with a 34.

Morris, however, isn’t the only Grizzly posting personal success.

On Thursday, Oct. 4, Goffstown High School sends seniors Paul Lafond and Nate Makowski to the Class L golf tournament at Canterbury Woods Country Club, where they compete against athletes from schools making the team championship.

While Brooks admitted the loss of Lafond and Makowski – along with seniors Nate Chaput, Tyler Chase, Matt Gifford, Shane Bellingham and T.J. Thomas – will make 2008 challenging, he noted juniors Morris and Brad Cannon will anchor next year’s squad, along with fellow varsity golfer Steve French, a sophomore.

The mentor added that a talented crop of junior varsity players is ready to step up after gaining valuable experience this season, and that group has the entire 2008 spring and summer to hone its developing skills and on-course smarts.