BELGRADE — Under sunny skies and with picturesque views of lakes in the distance, the season could not have started better for the Messalonskee and Skowhegan golf teams on Wednesday afternoon.

Well, perhaps without the strong wind gusts that swept through the Belgrade Lakes Golf Club.

“The wind was messing with me a little bit,” said Skowhegan junior Eddie Goff, who shot a 41. “I don’t think it made a big different in my overall score, but I think I let it in my head maybe a little more than I should’ve. It probably cost me a couple of strokes.”

Messalonskee’s Greyson Dooley putts at the second hole during a golf match against Skowhegan on Wednesday at Belgrade Lakes Golf Course in Belgrade. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

The wind was a small annoyance for both teams just happy to be playing countable matches after a quick preseason and excited with the prospects that come with a new season.

“We had a great preseason, we’re pretty excited coming into this (season),” said Messalonskee sophomore Gavin Jackson, who shot a 39.

Both Messalonskee and Skowhegan come into the season with high expectations. The Eagles graduated some of their top players, led by Jacob Moody, now playing at Division I Le Moyne College in DeWitt, New York. But head coach Gene Dumont is excited with this year’s team, including Jackson, who entered the match as the Eagles No. 1 golfer.

“I think we’re prepared, we’re excited,” Dumont said. “We’ve gained some new, young players. We have potential, but we say that every year. We’ll see. With 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds, you never know. They’ve got some potential; they’ve played some good practice rounds.”

Skowhegan head coach Dave Martin is thrilled by the continued rise of numbers in his program. Last year, the RiverHawks had 16 players on their roster. This season, Skowhegan has 18 players, led by Goff, who has been Skowehgan’s top golfer for multiple years.

“We have 18 in total, which is the most we’ve had,” Martin said. “Eddie, score-wise, is above the rest. But (golfers No.) 2-8, I think the stroke average for all our practice rounds is maybe 4 strokes. And the difference between (golfer No.) 2 and 6 right now is 2.1 (strokes).”

Both teams enjoyed the view of Belgrade Lakes, which is Messalonskee’s home course, while having some struggles with hills on multiple holes.

“It was a little frustrating,” Goff said. “I didn’t hit my driver or my irons very well at all. Everything was going right or left. But overall, I had a blast. This is a very fun course, and I’m lucky to play (on it). I’m very glad to even be playing on here.”

“We’re very fortunate to play here, it’s a pleasure,” Jackson said. “I finished (the day) at 39. I didn’t do great and (double-bogeyed) the last (hole), but that’s alright. I had a great tee shot off (hole No.) 2 and had about 6 feet (from the pin) for birdie. That was probably the highlight (of the day).”