McCann Tech Golfers Showing Improvement
ADAMS, Mass. -- Like their coach, the members of the McCann Tech golf team are young and learning.
Coach Corbin Brassard knows golf, but as a senior at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and first-year high school coach, he is getting the hang of his new roll.
His players -- a freshman, three sophomores and two juniors in Thursday afternoon's lineup -- are in some cases playing the most golf of their young lives this fall.
So the final score of Thursday's match against Pioneer -- a 19-5 loss for the Hornets -- is less important than the process for McCann.
"We're getting better," Brassard said. "Overall, our scores have improved from the beginning of the year to now. A few of the kids have made pretty decent jumps.
"If they continue to play golf, we'll have a pretty decent team down the road."
No. 1 Bradley Tatro just missed winning his match against Pioneer's James Elliot. Tatro carded a 10-over 44 on the front nine at Forest Park Country Club to finish a stroke behind Elliot.
McCann's No. 6, Tristan McNay, tied his opponent, Josh Willis, matching him at 52 strokes and earning two points toward the team total.
Ryan Meehan also earned a point at No. 3 with a 50 that was three strokes behind Pioneer's Eric Pratt.
The low round of the day was turned in at No. 5, where Pioneer's Brad Hastings carded a 36 playing in the third of three fouresomes.
With the win, Pioneer improved to 10-0 while the Hornets fell to 2-5.
"I would say the biggest thing the team needs to work on is just experience," Brassard said. "They haven't played a lot of golf. A lot of the kids are very new to the game. ... Like most new people to the game, it's the short game and course management."
Brassard, who is studying business at MCLA, is a graduate of Hoosac Valley, so he is familiar with the Forest Park layout. He said he hopes this will be the start of a long-time involvement coaching youth sports.
"I've been interested in coaching since I was young," he said. "I could see myself coaching different sports for a long time."