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07/24/2016 12:00 AMThe Morgan golf team had spent the past three years hoisting both the Shoreline Conference and Division IV State Championship trophies at season’s end. The Huskies’ incredible run came to an end in 2016, but they still showed why their one of the top programs in the state by finishing in second place at both postseason meets.
“Obviously, we did not meet our two primary goals of repeating as conference and state champions. That being said, we did raise over $1,000 for the Birdies for Biddle campaign—one of our other off the course goals of giving back to the community,” said Eric Bergman, who was in his 12th year as head coach. “I thought, overall, we played like who we were. We had a great year coming in second—not that I am celebrating second place—but we were beat by one of the best Division IV teams I’ve ever seen in Portland, so hats off to them.”
The Birdies for Biddle program raises money in honor of former Morgan golfer Joe Biddle, who passed away last year. It’s a cause that was close to Coach Bergman and the Huskies’ hearts throughout the season.
“We wanted to do something to celebrate his legacy and the money donated went to the Notes for Notes program, which gives inner-city kids free music studio time,” Bergman said. “The kids understand that playing high school golf is an absolute privilege and wanted to give back. I think what they did on and off the field was pretty significant.”
On the course, Morgan finished with a record of 17-5 before placing second behind Portland at both the Shoreline and state meets. Even though the Huskies weren’t able to win it all, their campaign still had its fair share of highlights, like when Morgan shot a season-low 156 in its regular season finale at Fenwick Golf Course. Junior Burton Caldwell earned medalist honors as the meet’s low scorer that day with his season-best mark of 35.
The Huskies were led by senior and two-year captain Kevin Daley, who shot an average score of 38.7 for nine holes, had a season low of 36 on the front nine at Portland Golf Course, and posted an 18-hole total of 74 in the Shoreline Conference Championship at Stanley Golf Course in New Britain. Morgan’s No. 2 golfer was junior captain Caldwell, who had an average score of 42.5 for nine holes and finished fourth at the state meet with a 77 through 18 holes. At the No. 3 spot was fellow junior captain Jack Bugg, who averaged a 42.9 for the year and shot a 79 at the conference meet. Holding down the No. 4 spot was senior Mike Van Ness, who tied for 47th with a 90 at states. Morgan’s No. 5 player was primarily filled by junior Olivia Powers, who became the first female in program history to have a score count in a match when she shot a 50 at Clinton Country Club in April. Powers capped her season by scoring a 97 to finish in 73rd place among more than 100 golfers at the state competition. Daley and Caldwell were both named to the Division IV All-State Team, Daley was an All-Shoreline Conference First Team selection, and Caldwell was named to the Second Team.
“It’s sad to see Kevin go. His name will be remembered for a young man who was a state champion in his first three years of high school golf. It was unprecedented what he did and he has set the bar high for all the kids that follow,” Coach Bergman said. “Mike worked very hard to contribute all year and did a great job for someone new to the game. Burton and Jack had very good seasons and will lead the team next year and Olivia was the first girl to ever have a score count at Morgan. It was a joy and a pleasure to see a young woman grow into a confident golfer and I am excited to see her and the other girls that are starting the first girls’ golf team next year.”
Morgan will look to once again be one of the state’s top teams in 2017, when they will return captains Caldwell and Bugg. Coach Bergman is looking for a few returning athletes to step into prominent roles and will also have a talented crop of freshman joining the ranks.
“We have Burton and Jack at the top and they are strong players and that will be bookended by a couple of talented freshman who are coming up. We have sophomores and juniors who will fill in and I’m expecting big things from Ryan Powers, who will be a sophomore, and I’d also like to find places for seniors Jack Holveck and Jarret Talarczyk,” said Bergman. “I think the success we’ve had has filtered down to the younger grades and, hopefully, that will keep us competing at this level for years to come.”
From the Sidelines
The 2016 Morgan golf team’s roster consisted of Scott Accetta, Olivia Amendola, Jack Bugg, Burton Caldwell, Alex Church, Kevin Daley, Lindsay Harden, Jack Holveck, Marie Kane, Cole Pascarella, Olivia Powers, Ryan Powers, Phoebe Sullivan, Jarrett Talarzyk, John Michael Van Ness, and Matthew Zoner.