BY RYAN O'CONNOR

This season, the Central golf team lost twice as often as it won, but head coach Matt Tafe saw plenty of reason to stay positive about the future.

The Little Green fell to 12-24 in 2007 and didn’t come close to the championship round. Still, Tafe said his young squad showed it’s an up-and-coming contender for 2008 and beyond.

“We only graduated four out of 10 (golfers), so I look for lots of potential next year. We didn’t sweep anyone, but we had some 2-1 (matches) down the stretch,” said Tafe, referring to wins over Merrimack and Keene on Sept. 19 and Memorial and Winnacunnet on Sept. 21. “Next year, the goal is obviously to make the state championship as a team. To win it would be the ultimate, yes. But just to get the team into it again would be great.”

Tafe, in his fifth year as coach, led the Little Green to the Class L tournament in 2004.

However, to reach their potential next season, the Little Green must mature.

“Golf is one of those sports where the integrity of the game has to be respected. You have to be honest with your opponent, and you have to be honest with yourself,” said Tafe. “They have to grow into that, and it’s something they have to learn.”

He added that despite the lack of team success, a positive attitude by this year’s seniors affected the underclassmen.

Senior Brian Berube of Hooksett led the 2007 squad and represents the Little Green, along with junior Chris Clark, in the individual portion of the Class L finals on Thursday, Oct. 4.

“Over three years, he has really improved his game and matured as a young man on the golf course,” said Tafe of Berube.

On the flip side, newcomer and Hooksett freshman Austin Fox is in contention for his coach’s rookie of the year award. Fox played in nine matches, scored for his team in six, and finished in the top five on his team in overall scoring.

Junior Chris Ouellette is Hooksett’s third representative. He’s been on the team two years and has scored in some of Central’s matches as well.