BERNE — The Berne-Knox-Westerlo golf team surprised its coach this season.

The young players on the Bulldogs’ squad pleased their veteran coach, Don Dennis, by finishing the season with a 10-8 record.
"This is a great bunch of kids," Dennis said. "We lost two matches that were heartbreakers. We could’ve been 12-6."

BKW also finished fifth in the Western Athletic Conference tournament after finishing fifth in the 10-team league during the regular season.
"It exceeded my expectations," Dennis said. "We had such a young team."

The highlight of the season, Dennis said, was beating Saratoga Spa Catholic High School.
"They won the WAC league tournament and finished second in the league," Dennis said. "It was a big win for us."

Dennis also had three players qualify for the Class C/D Section II tournament two weeks ago.

Eric Fernandez was the only senior on the team and one of the sectional qualifiers.
"He’s been with me for six years and is our captain," Dennis said. "He’s a hard worker at the number-one position all year long. He’s well respected by teammates, coaches, and opponents. I’ll miss him; he is a very nice kid."

Sophomore Caleb Grippin played in the number-three slot for the Bulldogs and also was a sectional qualifier.
"He’s a hard worker," Dennis said. "He is always working on his game. He won 23-and-a-half out of 36 points for us this year. He brought home a lot of points."

Freshman David Sikule also made it to the sectionals. He played in the number-two slot for BKW.
"He shot an 87 in the league tournament," Dennis said. "He also shot a 92 in the first round of the sectionals. That’s a good score. He’s a good solid player and he’s getting better and better. I told him before the season he could make sectionals, and he did. It’s a nice accomplishment for him."

Sophomore Jon Clark was the number-four player for BKW this season.
"He was battling guys for most of the season," Dennis said. "He’s a good, hard worker. He’s taken the dedication to work on his game."

Paolo Audino, an eighth-grader, was the number-five player for the Bulldogs this fall.
"He won 20-and-a-half out of 36 points," Dennis said. "He got better and better, and stronger as the season went on. He’s going to be a good player."

Dennis had four players battling for the sixth position.

Ninth-graders Charlie Turner and Andrew Cortese fought for the spot along with eighth-graders Sean Flanagin and Tim McIntyre.

McIntyre had the lowest average at the end of the season and Dennis took him to the WAC tournament.
"They all kept working hard and earned playing time," Dennis said. "I was going to take whoever had the lowest score to the league tourney."

Ninth-grader Max Clayton and seventh-graders George Moller and Robert Kelly also were on the team this fall.

The Bulldogs played golf in many different places in the pre-season and the season.
"I would like to thank Blackhead Mountain for having us for their summer clinic," Dennis said. "Cobleskill Golf and Country Club for letting us hold our matches there and letting us play for free. And also I would like to thank Ironworks in Duanesburg. I take the younger kids there for practice. They have been helpful to us."

Dennis was also thankful to Jeff Teats, his assistant coach this fall.

The Bulldogs should only build on their successful season in the next few years.
"We only lose Chi Chi," Dennis said of Fernandez, who was given his nickname because he wore a hat similiar in style to professional golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez.
"They are a nice bunch of kids," Dennis added. "I was proud to bring them wherever they go. They like to learn. Coming into the season, I was focusing more on individual goals, because it’s an individual sport within a team sport. But we got halfway through the season and we were above .500. The kids just delivered. Finishing 10-8, I’m very pleased with the season."