St. Mary opened its golf season in impressive style two different ways last week.

Not only did the Eagles defeat Manistee Catholic on the Sabres’ home course at Manistee Country Club Thursday, but four of St. Mary’s top five scorers were underclassmen.

St. Mary finished with a team score of 166, while Manistee Catholic was second at 172 and Leelanau School posted a 231 in the triangular meet.

Taking medalist honors in his first-ever high school golf match was St. Mary freshman Paul Bardenhagen, who fired an ever-par 9-hole score of 36. Rounding out the scoring for St. Mary was junior Bradford Schaub, who tied for third at 40, sophomore Aaron Joliffe and freshman Nicholas Shaffran, who each shot 45, and freshman Joe Pendergast at 46.

Manistee Catholic’s Zach Bialik was second with a 39, and Andrew Campbell paced Leelanau School with a 40.

St. Mary golf team coordinator Lucy Schaub said with several of the team’s golfers dual-sport athletes who also play baseball, younger players will play an important role this year.

“Three of the boys are not able to make all the matches. Luckily, we have some promising underclassmen who will help carry the team,” she said.

Among those impressed with the Eagles’ lineup is Suttons Bay golf coach Todd Hursey.

“I think they’re going to be in a very good position to compete for one of the three spots in the Regional later this spring,” he said.

St. Mary’s meet against Traverse City Christian Tuesday was canceled because of poor weather conditions, and despite playing only one match in the first two weeks of the season the Eagles will get plenty of course time in the next eight days. They were scheduled to play yesterday, April 22, at the 22-team Mohawk Invitational hosted by Morley-Stanwood, and a “B team” meet Friday with Traverse City West, Traverse City Central and Traverse City Christian.

Next week, they will face Frankfort on Monday at Pinecroft Golf Club near Honor, Northern Michigan Christian and Traverse City Christian Tuesday at Emerald Vale Golf Club, and another “B team” event Thursday.