Sitting outside on the clubhouse deck, glancing at the familiar 135-acre landscape of rolling fairways and pristine greens, Marilyn Campbell sat expectantly, waiting for the storm to roll in.

Yet there wasn’t a dark cloud in the sky, and the only precipitation in the area were the tears swelling in Campbell’s eyes as she looked over her shoulder and saw score after score tallied on the large board behind her.

The forecast, you see, called for lightning in a bottle. And when the bolt struck, on Thursday, Oct. 2, it wasn’t a clap of thunder that could be heard in the distance, but Campbell’s hands pounding together until they were sore.

The smile on her face told the story.

Roughly 10 years ago, Campbell was dubbed the Salem golf team’s No. 1 fan, a banner she continues to carry proudly. Now she’s seen the Blue Devils hoist their first championship banner, and she couldn’t have been happier to see them earn it on their home course, her course – Campbell’s Scottish Highlands.

“I just wish my husband (Bernard W.M. Campbell) was here because the first year we were here he insisted on having a golf team (at SHS), and we paid for everything – the coach, the transportation, everything,” said Campbell. “I’m sure he’s up there watching now. This is wonderful. This is a dream.”

But the Class L tournament wasn’t originally supposed to take place in Salem. No, it was only months earlier, when the scheduled venue ran into financial difficulties, that Campbell was able to volunteer her course for the event.

“I like the term ‘perfect storm,’ the way this came together,” said Salem coach Ben Adams. “We graduated a tremendous senior class last year, and for our seniors and (junior) Jeff (Cohen) to really step up this year ... and to win it here, with Campbell watching ... it’s a special day.”

Still, Adams was quick to dismiss the notion that it was the home course advantage alone that made the difference.

“If we had won by a few strokes, maybe you could say it was the home course advantage,” he said. “But to have six players break 80 and win by 15, well, the kids just played their hearts out today.”

Last season, Salem sent four players to the individual championship. This year, six Blue Devils represented SHS during the tournament’s second day. Cohen, who carded a one-under 70 during team play – good enough for second place on day one – finished tied with teammate Nick Fairweather for fourth overall with a 36-hole 151.

Jeff was the second Cohen in less than a year to lead a Salem team to its first championship. His brother, Michael, guided the Blue Devils tennis team to a title in the spring.

“Jeff can do whatever he wants. His growth over the past year was just phenomenal,” said Adams. “And I have a lot of respect for the way he carries himself. He lets his actions speak rather than his mouth.”

Likewise, senior Corey Keenan, who proved to be a true leader throughout the season, had his best performance of the year during the team competition, said Adams.

Keenan shot a 78, and teammates Ryan Greenleaf, Ed Haroian and Ryan Butler also made the cut with scores of 74, 79 and 79, respectively.

John Pettoruto, who carded an 81, and Devin Redmond, who tallied an 84, also produced fine showings.

“Last year, I think we were just as good, maybe better,” said Keenan. “But this year we all just happened to play good on the same day.”