The Westport golf team fell 7.5-1.5 to Upper Cape Cod during a home match on Tuesday afternoon.

The loss drops the Wildcats record to 2-4 as they hunt for a spot in the state tournament this fall. Westport plays six matches in September and three more in October.

“This is big stretch for us,” said Wildcats head coach Matt Kampper. “These matches will go a long way to determine our season. Whether we’ll qualify for the state tournament or not.”

Wildcats relying on top two golfers

Westport has been relying heavily on their top two golfers, junior Liam McMahon and senior Ben Bernier.

The tall athletic McMahon played in the second spot last season. This year he’s bigger and stronger and playing in the number one spot.

“Liam put in a lot of work over the summer,” Coach Kampper said. “He’s playing really well.”

Bernier, the Wildcats’ captain, plays in the second spot. He has been playing on the team with a prosthetic leg since 7th grade.

“I never expected to be here,” Bernier said. “This was my goal to play varsity golf and to do it for six years, I’m so lucky to have had the opportunity.”

“Ben is a great kid. He’s the heart and soul of our team,” said Coach Kampper. “And he’s been playing some phenomenal golf.”

The senior has refined both his long and short game this season while working at the local golf range and practicing most days after work. He’s crushing his drives and buttoned up his short game, which is where most golfers can go astray while playing at the Acoaxet Golf Club with its long and narrow fairways and lightning fast greens.

The team has had some good year’s during Bernier’s tenure. He’s hoping to make it one more, for his senior year.

“Last year, winning the conference tournament, was so surreal,” Bernier said. “We’ve had so many ups and downs. It’s crazy to think that it’s been six years already.”

Wildcats need to step up their play to gain the tournament

The rest of the Westport lineup needs to step up their play to get into the tournament, according to Coach Kampper.

“They have been picking it up here and there, but not as much as we’ve needed,” he said.

Both Cole Boudria and Will Forbes who play in the three and fourth spots, were out of the lineup on Tuesday.

Boudria, a junior, shot a 38 last week.

“He’s been playing some really good golf,” said Coach Kampper. “If he continues to play like that for the rest of the season, we’ll be in pretty good shape.”

Cam Wilkinson, Brody Girard, Jack Bell and Jesse Oliveira all stepped up for Tuesday’s match. Girard, who came back to the team this season as a junior, tied his match and Bell, a freshman, was the only Wildcat to win against Upper Cape.

“Jack’s young and played in a big spot on Tuesday, due to our injuries,” he said.

Coach Kampper stresses the importance of working on the short game especially when the team is home at Acoaxet.

“That approach obviously helps the scorecard,” he said. “The big thing is to maintain focus and composure. We play match play, so it’s one hole at a time. If you have a bad hole, forget about it and focus on the next one. It’s a competitive atmosphere and we’re trying to win so it’s important to be able to perform under pressure.”

Wildcats’ results

One player Liam McMahon shot a 40, two player Ben Bernier shot a 45, three player Cam Wilkinson shot a 49, four player Brody Girard shot a 46, five player Jack Bell shot a 52 and Jesse Oliveira shot a 59.