IT WAS A bittersweet, but yet satisfying, ending to the 2012 season for the Marin Academy boys golf team.
On one hand, the Wildcats have built a strong program that could compete against the MCAL's best. They captured the NCS Division II championship, believed to be the program's first NCS title.
However, MA had one accomplishment missing on an otherwise impressive resume. That was the defense of its league championship.
Marin Academy finished second to the Bay School for the Bay Counties West title last spring. They watched their bid for a third straight league title fall short.
"Getting second at the league tournament was really a
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Buoyed by a strong top three of LaHorgue, Matt Cutcliffe and Will Bednarz, the Wildcats are aiming for redemption and to regain its hold atop the BCL West.
"We've been pretty hyped for this February to come," Cutcliffe said.
Despite the losses of key senior leaders in Alex Hartzell and Bobbie Lahmann, MA is eagerly anticipating how its new core will perform in what should be another competitive race in the league.
Marin Academy should be one of the favorites, and back
at full strength after LaHorgue missed a large part of the regular season last year. The third-year player played the first three matches before an appendectomy sidelined him until the league tournament.His return couldn't have come at a better time.
"It was tough to sit on the sidelines and watch the team play," LaHorgue said. "I was really motivated (to return) and practiced my short game a lot."
The friendship between LaHorgue and Cutcliffe, which began in kindergarten, is
Marin Academy golfer Joe LaHorgue follows through with his swing at San Geronimo Golf Course on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in San Geronimo, Calif. (IJ photo/Frankie Frost) Frankie Frost
a driving factor toward the team's success. They have naturally stepped up as the team's leaders and are now the Wildcats' top two golfers."We've coached each other to get better," LaHorgue said. "We don't have a competitiveness between us as far as trying to beat each other. But it's really great in pushing each other to work hard and having friendly competition in practice."
The addition of Bednarz, a freshman, gives MA as strong of a 1-2-3 punch at the top of the lineup as any team in the area.
Bednarz said the trio prepared a great deal for the upcoming season, playing together several times at Meadow Club. They formed a bond, which they hope translates into success this spring.
"I've known them for about a year now," Bednarz said. "They're kind of like big brothers to me. I practice with them a lot and they've helped me with my game mentally and physically."
The Wildcats round out their lineup with two solid freshmen ? Matt Kingsley and Seiichiro Nakai. Not only is the team's outlook bright today, but for the future as well.
And the next goal for Marin Academy is to win back the BCL West title.
"It'd mean a lot," LaHorgue said. "It's high up on our priorities right now. It'd be really great to get that banner."
Contact Alex Tam via email at sports@marinij.com
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