Bob Jackson, the new head coach of the Marblehead High golf team, is familiar with icing, power plays and cycling down low, as coach of the school’s hockey team. But he?s quickly getting the hang of his new position. With Tedesco Country Club the site of the team’s home matches, Jackson can tell his team about the course’s breaks, hazards and rolls. He?s been a member since 1986.
Last season:Marblehead claimed the Northeastern Conference/South title.
Coach:Jackson takes over for Jim Keating, who elected not to return this year after his teaching duties at Salem State University were expanded.
Jackson welcomed 29 golfers out to the first day of tryouts last week. “We have some good athletes, good golfers, and the kids have a lot of enthusiasm, certainly,” he said.
Key players gone:Jake Kramer graduated and is playing golf at Coastal Carolina University. Kramer shot a 78, seven shots behind the winner at last spring?s Division 2 state championship.
Key players this year:Senior co-captains Owen Picariello and Jake Tassinari will be key golfers. This is Picariello?s second season as co-captain. Juniors to watch this season include Will Thompson, Chris Parthum and James McCarthy.
Strengths:?I?ve jumped right into this and we?re in the process of evaluating everybody. Fortunately, I know a few of the guys, which helps,” Jackson said. “We have some good talent. Now I?m just taking baby steps to get up to speed. I?m confident, looking at the players we have coming in, that we?ll be competitive this year. It?s a learning curve for me and the players right now, trying to get comfortable with each other.”
Question marks:?Right now we?re all 0-0. I know some of these kids already, and I?ll work on getting to know everybody else as quickly as possible,” Jackson said. “The big question is ?How long will it take for me to see what each player needs from me??”Opening match:Marblehead opens Sept. 8 against Peabody.
Big matches on the schedule:Marblehead will have two difficult matches against Swampscott, on Sept. 16 and Oct. 1, and another when the Magicians host Xaverian Sept. 20.Coach’s outlook:?We?re going to set goals for the individual and the team, and then we have to go out and work hard to achieve those goals. It?s different than hockey; you don?t make adjustments during the match. We?ll watch the guys and help each other as much as we can.”