Telegraph photo by TOM KING Bryce Zimmerman, shown lining up a putt this summer, has already been a medalist twice this young season for Nashua North, including Monday's match at Salem.

During the spring and summer, golf was booming as one of the more pandemic-safe sports.

Thus it’s no wonder it’s all systems go in high school, as local teams begin their seasons in earnest this week. In fact, a couple of them began late this past week.

It’s going to be an interesting but short season, as the teams will play regular season matches for about three-plus weeks until the state tournaments are held in mid-October. At those tournaments, there is likely a limit to the players entered since they are all open; Division II is only allowing five per team, taking the top four scores.

The area’s best player still looks like Nashua High School North’s Bryce Zimmerman, the defending Division I individual champion. The best team? That remains to be seen, so let’s take a quick local look while we keep things in perspective and follow the words of Guertin coach Paul Rousseau:

“Either way,” he said, “it is just nice to be outside, playing golf and coaching the kids. Just enjoy it while it lasts.”

DIVISION I

Zimmerman is already two for two in being a match medalist on this young season, and the Titans just hope to have enough behind him after their best season ever a year ago when they finished 17-6 and were third in the state tourney.

After Zimmerman, watch sophomore Eva Gonzalez, who was second in the girls tournament. Others who will make contributions for North included seniors Chris McQuinn, Spenser Champaign, Thomas Kelly and Brendan McMahon, plus a plethora of new players.

“This will be a competitive team both during matches and at practices,” Titans coach Scott Anderson said. “We’re just hoping we can get through this shortened season and truing to improve on the school’s best performance last year in states.”

Nashua South is also hoping to make the most of the short season, using the matches to get better as a team. Seniors include Grace Conrad and Cam Cole, while juniors Kailey Poulan, Steve Robbe and Josh Gao will contribute.

“There’s not a lot of experience returning from last year,” Panthers coach Steve Lane said. “We’re loking to enjoy and improve throughout this shortened season.”

Bishop Guertin will be led by seniors Ryan Horgan and Luke Mutty, junior Dean Liakos and sophomore Connor Bouvier. The Cards were 14-9 last year and finished eighth in the state.

With a goal to always make the state tourney, the Cards “will need some of t new young players to step up and help the few returning players we have.”

Merrimack will look to improve following a non-tourney season and have as their nucleus seniors Patrick Browning and Cameron Higham; junior Connor Patch, sophomores Ryan Rezendes and Matt Licata, and juniors Hunter Bailey and Matthew Todd.

“We’re going to have a safe and productive season,” Tomahawks coach Ryan Farnsworth said, “by putting in the work to continually improve.”

DIVISION II

Hollis Brookline is looked at as one of the top contenders (Oyster River is mentioned as a favorite) for a state crown after finishing as co-champions with Kennett when weather wiped out the team tourney and regular standing seasons were used.

The Cavs could have a good group of seniors to rely as last year’s junior group of Matt Dias, Rory Klauber, Colin MacDonald, Grady Sturges, Garret Sturges, and Cayden Plummer are all returning . Grady Sturges was tied for sixth in the individuals last year. The Cavs had a great tryout turnout with all but three of the roster returnees.

“They remember last year’s season and how successful this team was, which is huge to keep in their minds going into this season,” Cavs coach Shaun Hastings said.

Alvirne comes down from I to join Division II ranks led by Noah Leclair, a sophomore who finished fifth in Division I last year as a freshman. Junior Ethan Doran, sophomore Alex Blais and Lauren Rudiger, a junior transfer from New Mexico, could have an impact.

“Last year was a great learning experience,” Broncos coach Sy Tebbetts said. “Now it’s all new, new division, mostly new courses. … We’re happy to be playing golf and being around each other. Even it if has to be six feet apart.”

Milford, meanwhile, should be much improved this season based on some experienced seniors and junior

Jacob Dube. Corey Girouard has also improved tremendously with fellow seniors Holden Bertoncini and Brandon Shaw

Junior Ryan Cavanaugh likely will hold down the second spot in the lineup; he was 10th in the individual tourney last year.

Junior Brady Hanson and freshman Landon Pierce are good depth pieces.

“This could be one of my stronger teams,” Spartans coach Bill Soubosky said.

Souhegan, meanwhile, was said to have low numbers for the second straight year but enough to compete.

Also of note, Division II used the Stableford system last year, along with Division III. But in this short season, it’s a return to stroke play.

DIVISION III

Campbell golf will be led by three upperclassmen: senior Sean Ryan, junior Travis Breton, and senior Chris Grondine, but otherwise the Cougars have a young team, including five freshmen.

“The youth on the team makes the future bright,” said co-coach Josh Knight, who works with Rick Gamache, “while the experience we have at the top will help lead the rest of the team.”

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MONDAY’S RESULTS:

Nashua North improved to 2-4 while finishing second in a quad match at 208 behind Pinkerton (204) but ahead of Salem (222) and Manchester Memorial (237). Zimmerman was once again the medalist while Kelly fired a 40, Gonzalez a 43 and Chris McQuinn a 44.

Bishop Guertin, meanwhile, finished third in a tri match at 245, behind match winner Timberlane (206) and Exeter (209). The Cards were paced by Liakos, who had a 45, while Bouvier had 48.

Colby Rathbone and Ryan Horgan each had 49.

North and BG tangle at Nashua Country Club on Thursday.

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MILFORD SPECTATOR POLICY

The high school Division II/Division III Southern Cluster has created a Return To Play plan outlining several key strategies designed to allow students safely being able to participate in athletics and activities. These strategies and guidelines have been established to reduce potential risk to participants and the community.

The Milford athletic department is requiring spectators help as it outlines specifics related to Milford High School Home Athletics.

Here are the guidelines for fans at Milford:

—- Two (2) spectators per player/participant and coach (Home and Away)

—- Spectators will be screened for symptoms and temperature check prior to entry

—- Spectators must present color-coded, numbered card to obtain access to the event

—- Spectators allowed 30 minutes prior to match or game time to enter the facility and must wear masks

—–Spectators must exit immediately after the match or game

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