When describing competition around the Merrimack Valley Conference golf scene, Methuen High head golf coach Bill Blackwell said, “it’s not for the weak at heart.”
Certainly, last season backed that statement up with the likes of Central Catholic and Chelmsford dominating the links, while North Andover, Billerica and Lowell finished .500 or better.
This year, Chelmsford has been bumped up to MVC Division 1 joining Central, Andover, North Andover, Haverhill and Billerica in what should be an absolute dogfight, including Central’s Harry Garland returning as one of the top two players in the conference.
In addition to Carlson and Garland, Haverhill returns two-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star and MVC All-Conference selection Tommy Murphy, and North Andover returns Tyler Fawaz, who finished 10-3-1 last year and was also named to both All-Star teams.
North of the border in New Hampshire, Windham is coming off a 20-3 season and returns Eagle-Tribune All-Star Thomas Manning, Timberlane currently has seven players averaging 43 or below, and both Salem and Pinkerton Academy also are coming off successful seasons.