The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy golf season ended this week in a conference tournament loss, but their steady improvement was key for the Saints.

By all standards, NSA’s first season under the direction of coach Tom Harry could be considered a success. The season started off a bit rocky from a win-loss perspective; however, a lot of that could be due to the players adjusting to their new coach and vice-versa.

“It was an adjustment period for all of us,” Harry said. “After about three or four weeks, we were able to get on the same page. I think we are going to be in good shape over the next two or three years.”

Unfortunately for NSA, some of their matches didn’t include the best weather for a young team to be successful in. After winning one match in all of March, the Saints were able to turn it around in late April, winning their last four matches before the postseason started.

“We finished about where I thought we would,” Harry said. “Some of the matches we lost by a shot, but the kids came on and improved. Towards the latter part of our schedule, we had a team meeting, and kids just started to play better. I told the kids how proud I was of them that they were able to do that.”

In the conference tournament on Monday, NSA struggled a bit due to the number of holes they had to play. In all of their matches this year, NSA had played in eight-hole matches, but for the TCIS tournament, they play an 18-hole course.

Returning for NSA for next year will be Austin Gise, the team’s No. 3 player. He was the most improved player on the team this year, at times being as high as the No. 1 player for the team. Kelly Provost will also return, as well as some JV players who will move up and add more talent to the team. Harry has some things he will do with his team to help them improve this summer.