Golf team swings into winning mentality

With a 0-15 season only two years in the rear-view mirror, the golf team continued its rise through the county ranks. Although the team failed to qualify for states and has lost some close matches, a 6-3 record and third-place spot in the division show just how far the team has come.

On Oct 2, the team traveled to Poolesville Golf Course for the district championship. The Blazers were aiming to do what no Blair squad had ever done in four years under head coach Peter Creedon: qualify for the state tournament. Unfortunately, the Blazers played well below their potential and finished far behind the leaders, forcing the program to wait at least another year for the state competition.

The team's highlight of the season came early as the Blazers defeated Blake, Kennedy and Einstein high schools at Laytonsvillle Golf Course Sept 5. Senior Michael Coe led the way with a 79 as all five Blazers shot below 90 as Blair cruised to victory. "Everybody really had it working that day. It was definitely the best that I played this season," said Coe.

The season's second match at Falls Road Golf Course was disappointing after such an auspicious start. Not one player equaled or bettered his score from the previous week as Blair defeated Wheaton High School but fell to Sherwood and Blake. "We should have beaten Blake in that match. They played well, but we had just beaten them the week before. They are a team that we match up well with, and we could not take advantage of that," said junior Josh Richardson.

Blair lost a similar opportunity to pick up a win in the next match when they lost to Paint Branch by a slim seven-stroke margin at Northwest Golf Course. Although they defeated typically weak Kennedy and Wheaton, the Blazers could not help but be disappointed by the second near-miss in two weeks.

Despite the poor finish at the district tournament and a couple of close losses, the 2001 Blair golf team is the best of recent years. "In the past two years, we have improved 15 to 20 shots a man. I think that can be attributed to the growth in our roster. We have more kids playing and getting better," said Creedon.