Captain Billy Fowkes ’10 and a strong returning top five are set to dominate the links this year. With major improvement over the last year, plus the addition of talented post-graduate Stephen Winslow ’10, Andover will be a major competitor. Andover won about half of their matches and finished sixth in the Newport Invitational last year in what head coach, Brian Faulk, called “our biggest day of the season.” Although last year Andover fell short against Exeter and Governor’s Academy in the chase for the Lovell Cup and Witherspoon Bowl, this year’s team is poised to achieve success in all three events. Along with Fowkes, Ben Ho ’11 and James Poss ’10 lead a strong returning class with an experienced and talented top seven. Both Ho and Poss were key elements of last year’s team, and both golfers are looking to build on their success. The addition of newcomer Winslow should also give the team a serious boost. Coach Faulk expects big things from the PG, as does Fowkes, who said, “We expect Winslow to have a very significant impact on the team. While I’ve never played with him, I’ve heard nothing but good things.” While overcoming the loss of core members Captain Jim Ricker ’09 and Roo Hamilton ’09 will be tough for the developing team, Andover is excited and prepared to tee off against any opponent. “I really like how the team is shaping up this year. We have a good, fun group of guys who are definitely going to put up a really good fight in a lot of the matches that we’re set to play. I think we’ll have no problem competing with our big rivals such as Exeter and Deerfield. I think we’re all expecting a successful season,” said Fowkes. Coach Faulk also made some remarks about the team’s upcoming season and their strategy for success. “Winslow is a big addition, and I look forward to the one two punch that he and Ben will provide at the top. I think we should have a good shot of competing with perennial powerhouses Deerfield and Exeter,” he said. Faulk also showed confidence that his team could defeat Governor’s and Exeter in the annual quest for the coveted Lovell Cup and Witherspoon Bowl. Despite a disappointing season last year, including a difficult match play loss to Exeter at the end of the season, Andover is poised to have its best season yet. Andover kicks off its season this Saturday in an 18-hole showdown against Tabor Academy at the Oceanside Kittanset Country Club, followed by matches against Belmont Hill and Newton Country Day next week.
