It was a happy group of Hollis Brookline HIgh School golfers after winning the Division II state title a year ago. However, only a couple of experienced players return as the season opens for a few schools this week. (Courtesy photo)

There’s a different feeling around local high school golf circles.

First, many of the stars of the past few years, such as Nashua North’s Bryce Zimmerman and most of the golfers who gave Hollis Brookline a state title last year, have moved graduated.

As a result, the two best teams in the are from a year ago, the Titans and Cavs, are young and rebuilding.

That may open the door for some others such as a Bishop Guertin or an Alvirne Let’s take a look:

DIVISION I

It was a down season for Bishop Guertin a year ago, finishing 4-9 and eighth overall. But they have a host of retunees, starting with seniors Dean Liakos, Colby Rathbone, Trent Rider and Max Riordan. Other returnees include juniors Connor Bouvier and Jacob Caron, plus sophomore Pierce Beaulieu.

“Our goal as a team is to improve as the season progresses and to qualify for the state championship (tournament) as a team,” Cards coach Paul Rousseau said.

And from there they go. Meanwhile, Nashua South also wants to get into the state tourney and improve on last year’s 14th place, and will have seniors Stephen Robbe, Kailey Pullen and Josh Gao joining juniors Emma Kobs, Robby and Joe Lizzie to make a push.

At North, it’s a brave new world for coach Scott Anderson, who is still trying to learn his players’ names after graduating six.

But he’s got a solid leader in junior Eva Gonzales, who was fourth in the girls tournament a year ago. Also: sophomore Jeff Murdock, juniors Cam Burgess, Owen White and Jack Sullivan, along with seniors Braeden Welch, Owen Graham, Brandon Ouellette and Tom Laurendi.

“We’ll have to keep working to try to get better,” Anderson said. “Great kids who like to compete and looking forward to the challenge.”

Merrimack is hoping to improve on its 12th-place finish from a year ago. The ‘Hawks last year were led by Hunter Bailey.

DIVISION II

The Cavaliers will definitely be rebuilding, led by seniors Shane Marcum and Miles Montgomery, both of whom have two years experience.

“I’m excited to see how their work pays off,” Hastings said.

Others with two years of experience are juniors Reid Mitchell, Braedon O’Connor, and Cavan Quinn, who tried to learn from the starters.

Newcomers are juniors Martin Bergeron, Evan Costa, Charles Hale, Josh Lapointe, Alex Razzaboni, Bruce Sturges and soph Bradley Noble, plus Lauren Maunch. Hastings feels she will be a factor as well in the girls individual tourney.

Alvirne, on the other hand, has a returning nucleus from a team that finished seventh in the state tourney.

Third year No. 1 junior Noah LeClair is back; he finished fourth overall in the individual tourney last year, and was medalist in six out of seven team matches.

Others returning are junior Alex Blais, plus seniors Ethan Doran, plus Ashton and Peyton Meuse. Another set of twins, freshmen Jack and Ryan Hurrell, should shine as well.

Milford, meanwhile, may have one of the top golfers in Division II, senior Ryan Cavanaugh. The others are juniors who should help out: Brady Hansen, Mason Talbot, Devon O’Brien and Landon Pierce.

The Spartans had 12 come out with six freshmen.

“We should be very competitive with a shot at the (state tourney),” Milford coach Bill Soubosky said. “The future looks good for Milford golf.”

At Souhegan, the goal will be simple – improve on last year’s 13th place finish.

DIVISION III

Campbell will have a senior one-two pucnh in Travis Breton, the Cougars’ No. 1, and senior Shane Passaro at No. 2. Breton just missed qualifying for the state individual tourney last year.

The Cougars had a great turnout – 23, and eight are girls. Only five are upperclassmen, “making the future of this team very exciting,” Campbell coach (and AD) Josh Knight said.