BY RYAN O'CONNOR

Six years ago Pembroke won the Class I golf title. By last season, the Spartans slipped to the point they forfeited several matches because they lacked a full team.

This year, coach Mike Desilets has a dozen players, and though his squad is young, with two seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen, he is enjoying watching the group develop on the course.

“At the very least, we are inexperienced, so my expectations are improvement more than anything else,” said Desilets. “And, for the most part, they’re doing it.

“The kids that aren’t experienced are getting it now,” he continued. “Maybe it’s not always at the right time, because sometimes I have to throw them into a match when they may not be ready, but I suppose it’s a good way for them to get to learn.”

Pembroke is 2-13 on the season and likely won’t make the Class I tournament.

But a unique blend of experience and youthful talent is what makes this season most interesting to watch, said Desilets.

While senior Josh Murray has been the team’s emotional leader and mentor, freshman Lucas Connor has been Pembroke’s top scorer.

Along with Murray and Connor, junior Tyler Clark and sophomore Jamison Syphers are the most consistent Spartans in 2007, providing the squad with a top golfer from every class.

After the top four, however, Desilets said the talent, and the scores, vary dramatically from match to match.

Completing this year’s Pembroke dozen are senior Alex Poggi, juniors John Andrews, Sean Gallant, and Neil Innarelli, sophomores Katelyn Labbay and Billy Bouchard, and freshmen Cam Beaton and Ethan Keeler.