Cooperstown golf coach Bill Crampton is hoping five returning players and four talented freshmen can help lead the team back into postseason play after last year's 8-8 season.

"We were kind of spoiled here, we've had very good teams here for so long," Crampton said. "We didn't have as much experience last year, but we hope to be playing at a high level this year."

The season will begin this Tuesday, April 24, when the Redskins travel to Center State Conference power Little Falls for a league match.

"Little Falls and Ilion look to be the class of the league again," Crampton said. "We haven't had a single day of practice outside yet, so it's hard to get an accurate assessment of some of the younger players."

Cooperstown's season was scheduled to begin Monday with a home match against Westmoreland at Leatherstocking Golf Course, but the match had to be postponed because the course is not yet ready for play.

"I talked to (Leatherstocking golf professional) Dan Spooner recently, and he said they hope to have the course ready to open by Monday," Crampton said. "But we have postponed our home matches until, the week of the 30th."

Crampton said the team will be led by senior Ryan Cembrinski, who is entering his fourth year of varsity play and will be the number one player on the team. Cembrinski's older brother, Steve, was a state qualifier a couple of years ago for the CCS golf team, and is currently playing collegiately for James Madison.

Three juniors also return to the squad in Paul Leonard, Josh Weeks and Brett Pikarsky, and sophomore Ben Clinton should round out the top five.

Crampton said a quartet of freshmen-Sam Costanza, Ben Otis, Dan Holmes and Billy Jock- may contribute this year and give the team some stability for the next few years.

"We have quite a few kids out for the team and sometimes that competitiveness can make for lower scores," Crampton said. "I think the play of our returning players will make or break our season."

The first home match is May 1 against CV-S.