The Whaler golf team got off to a fast start this season with two home wins, including a 4-3 win over the Cape Cod Academy Seahawks Aug. 31 and a 4.5-1.5 victory over the Sturgis East Storm on Tuesday. But they are in need of a bounce back effort after suffering their first loss on Wednesday in a road matchup against the Sturgis West Navigators 3.5-2.5.
“What we are lacking right now is the stand out player at the one and two positions in our rotation,” veteran head coach Nate Roberts said. “Our team is strong and deep but we still have to have a head of that group. We are falling behind early in the matches and being forced to make up for it in the back end.”
Sophomores Henry Kathawala and Cole Chambers have won all three of their matchups this season as the Whalers number five and six golfers respectively in the lineup. Roberts said he likes the duo in their current spots but wouldn’t rule out Kathawala or Chambers making a leap in the lineup as the season moves forward.
“Those two are the only players to win all three of their matches and I think as underclassmen that is great for the future of our program and right now,” he said.
Roberts said he felt like the playing conditions were a major factor in his team’s first loss. He said after going two years without seeing an off-island golf course his team will need to learn how to adjust to field conditions.
“The conditions were completely different than Miacomet and our guys just didn’t adjust fast enough or well enough,” he said. “The greens are slower. We are spoiled a little bit on the island. There is nothing wrong with the golf course over on the mainland. It is in very good condition but it is just different.”
“Miacomet plays fast. The course we played at Wednesday is slow. There were some slight elevation changes my players aren’t used to and it showed. Our stroke average was up three or four strokes per player. We still almost pulled it out though. Overall I’m very happy with the start we have had though.”
Evan Belanger will make his debut in the Whaler lineup after missing the first three matches, giving the Whalers a needed boost today when they host the Nauset Warriors at 3:45 pm. Roberts said he expects the senior golfer to play a big role for the team moving forward.
“Evan had some prior commitments that made him unavailable to begin the year but he is back with the team and joining us after meeting all of the practice requirements,” Roberts said. “He is going to slide into one of those top three spots for us in our rotation. I think he is going to give us a jolt.”
