BERNE — The Berne-Knox-Westerlo golf team had a great season, to the surprise of coach Don Dennis.

The Bulldogs finished the season with a 14-4 record, finishing third in the Western Athletic Conference and second in the league tournament. What surprised Dennis is how a team with no seniors pulled off those accomplishments.
"We didn’t have a senior on the team," Dennis said. "I’m happy about that. And we had the largest number of kids come out."
Twenty-two kids — in grades seven to 11 — came out for the golf team this fall at BKW. "It was great," Dennis said. "The older kids came with me to the meets and the younger kids went with my assistant, Jeff Teats, to Ironworks or practiced behind the school."

Green acres

The kids that went to practice behind the school were able to work on all facets of their game including putting. A $6,500 putting green was built behind the school. Dennis, with the help of the maintenance crew at BKW, cut the cost from $15,000 by doing some preliminary work on the area the green now sits.
"The maintenance crew did a lot of work," Dennis said. "I think we’re the only school to have a golf green."

The green was built in August after funds were raised from a snack bar run at the school, some fund-raising done by the golf team, and Dennis taking money out of his coach’s salary.
"It was done a week before the season started," Dennis said. "It helps the young kids with their putting. It will help the older kids as well. Without a practice facility, we were a little behind the eight ball. Practice for us meant traveling to Cobleskill, and the school can’t afford that. This is just what the doctor ordered."

The team then went to Blackhead Mountain to work with a couple of the club’s professionals.

During the season, the Bulldogs had an early setback in a match against Fonda, but were still in the title hunt until the last match against league leader Middleburgh and Schoharie. Middleburgh lost during the season to Mayfield, a team BKW beat. So everything was riding on the last match.

Middleburgh came away with a win and BKW also was passed by Schoharie.
"We put in a lot to try and beat," Dennis said. "If we had beaten them, we would have been co-champs. But we got down against Middleburgh, and kids got down and then Schoharie beat us. When we got down to Middleburgh, it took the wind out of our sails."

The roster

The Bulldogs were led by sophomore David Sikule.
"He had a great season for us," Dennis said. "He qualified for the sectionals and we were hoping he would go to the state qualifier, but he didn’t have a good day. But he has two more years to work at it."

Sikule was named to the WAC All-star team this fall.

Juniors Jon Clark and Caleb Grippen alternated in the two and three slots for the Bulldogs all season.
"Jon Clark came on at the end of the season," Dennis said. "He made the sectionals. You need five qualifiers to make the sectionals and he only had two with a week to go. He worked hard in practice to be able to qualify for the sectionals."
"Caleb had a disappointing season," Dennis said. "He was playing fall ball [baseball] and didn’t fare well. He qualified for sectionals last year. It was disappointing for him. But he can work hard and come back next year."

Four freshman filled the final four varsity spots for the Bulldogs.

Paolo Audino was one of them.
"He had a good year," Dennis said. "He only needed a couple of qualifiers to make sectionals. I hope he will make it next year."

Sean Flanagan was in the fifth spot for the Bulldogs.
"He was a pleasant surprise," Dennis said. "He got a membership [at a golf course] over the summer and worked hard on his game."

Tim McIntyre is a returner from last year.
"He had a good year," Dennis said. "He is a nice player."

Josh Rebeor rounded out the meet roster.
"He came out for the team in seventh grade," Dennis said. "But he went out for cross-country in eighth grade. But he was back this year, and I was happy to see him come back."

Dennis also has a group of young players who didn’t see any match time, but could next year.

Sophomore Andrew Cortese is on the cusp of being on the team. Classmate Charlie Turner, eighth-grader Joey Capuano, and ninth-grader Jacob Clark, Jon’s younger brother, have come a long way, Dennis said.
"I’m real psyched for next year," Dennis said. "I had the most number of kids and they are all coming back. And I have a lot of young guys that will be around for a couple of more years. That brings a lot for the future. And with the new green, I am excited and so are the kids."