Although the game did not count toward the team record because Rockland only fielded three golfers, coach Tim Flanagan says it was a good measure of their progress so far in the season.

"They held their own against Rockland," he said.

Flanagan is a former coach who is filling in for Judy Parent, who had coached the golf team for two years before this year. Parent recently had back surgery and is in the process of recovering.

Although Flanagan is new to the league after several years away, he is far from a first year coach.

He first coached golf at Westbrook High School in 1971 before taking over as Wiscasset's coach, a position he would have for 20 years.

Helping the coach is assistant coach and bus driver Chuck Shea.

"He's been a big help to us," said Flanagan.

The Wiscasset team has shrunk from last year after losing key players Jacob Braley, Adam St. Jean, Nathan Delano and Ben Hatt to graduation. Two of those players were point scorers: Braley, in the number two position; and St. Jean, who played number three.

Last year's team went a respectable 7-4 and made it to the Mountain Valley Conference playoffs.

One of the team leaders this year should be this year's first position, senior Caleb Jones. Jones placed fifth in the state team championship and 19th in the all state boys championship last year.

"He should be one of the top golfers in the conference," Flanagan said.

The number two player, Kent Hersom, has improved a great deal since he first took up golfing, according to his coach. Both players played in a Midcoast Jr. Golf League over the summer to hone their skills, he said.

The first of the final three spots will likely be filled by Nick Bennett, a junior. Jim David, a promising young freshman who has made a lot of progress, will probably be the fourth player, Flanagan said.

"It's hard to believe he's improved that much in just two weeks," he said.

Juliette Jones, who began playing last year as the only female player, will probably move up into the fifth spot this year.

Other team members are making progress and could make an impact on the season. Courtney Sonia, a sophomore player, stands beside Juliette as the only other female on the team.

Senior Corry Langer, junior Justin Rines, and freshman Josh Sonia fill out the roster.

One of his goals for the team is to finish the top four in the league and prepare the team well enough to excel in the league tournament.

"There will be a lot of development, and a lot of dedication and work these kids will have to go through," he said.

At the end of the season the top teams play off in a tournament to determine which team goes to state competition. Like cross country, the win and loss record is not as important as how they place in the year-end competition, he said.

Although Wiscasset has always been at a slight disadvantage because they do not have a school golf course, he is optimistic the team can do well again this year.

"If we play as much as we can, and improve enough, we might have a shot at sending some players to the state level," he said

Flanagan said another goal is for his team to enjoy the season and love the sport.

"These kids work very hard and have a very good attitude," he said. "I'm trying to have as much fun as we can."