But with rain and snow canceling the first two matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, and no relief in sight, it may be a while before the Redskins get the season underway.

``It might be a short season, but if we can get going by May 1 I think we can squeeze all the important matches in,’’ said third year Cooperstown golf coach Dave Peplinski. ``It’s been tough because we really haven’t been able to get outside and practice very often.’’

The Redskins have all four of their top four golfers back from a year ago, when they cruised through Center State competition undefeated on the way to a league title. They finished 10-0 in CSC play and 16-0 overall.

Cooperstown then finished in a tie for second place in the Section Three Class C-2 tournament, finishing three strokes off the lead.

``We had a talk recently, and it’s our goal to win sectionals this year as well as repeat as league champions,’’ Peplinski said. ``We should have a good shot at it.’’

Senior Joe Horrigan leads an experienced group of returnees. Horrigan qualified for the state tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Course in Ithaca in 2006, finishing in the middle of a pack of about 100 golfers.

Horrigan was the third golfer in Cooperstown history to qualify for the state tournament, joining Mike Pugliese and Nick Feinberg.

``I think he can go back and do better,’’ Peplinski said.

Senior Gavin Harris and sophomore Patrick Horrigan and Tom Redding round out the top four for the Redskins. Redding played in a junior tour during the summer, and has also played in other junior tournaments.

Karl Dykstra, a junior, will also be a starter, while Bob Bauer may occupy the sixth and final spot. Peplinski said Jon Birch and Mitch Adsit are also in the running for the sixth position.

Cooperstown is scheduled to open the home season on April 24 against Mohawk, but as of Tuesday Leatherstocking Golf Course had yet to open. An employee at Leatherstocking said everything would have to go perfectly in order for the course top open for the last weekend of April.

``We’re pretty much underwater,’’ he said.

Peplinski said Ilion figures to be his team’s top competition for the top spot in the Center State Conference.