All-Area Golf Coach of the Year: Old Saybrook's Tim Arsenault

What They're Saying About Tim

"He does an unbelievable job with the Old Saybrook program. He definitely works with those guys. They have some talent, of course. He does a great job with them. They practice all the time. He's always working with them. Every year, he's putting together a good team."

Kirk Kaczor, Old Lyme coach

What You Need To Know About Tim

This is the third straight year Old Saybrook's Tim Arsenault has been named The Day's Golf Coach of the Year, and for good reason. The Rams have experienced their most successful run since last winning back-to-back state tournament titles in 1973 and 1974. With Arsenault in charge, Old Saybrook has lost just one regular-season match in the last two seasons, going 28-0 in 2012. The Rams won the Shoreline Conference regular-season title outright for the first time since 1974 after placing second five straight times. They clinched their conference crown by winning the Shoreline tournament championship at Fox Hopyard Golf Club in East Haddam. They capped an impressive season by placing second at the Division IV state tournament, the program's best finish since winning the 1974 state championship. The Rams finished with 320 strokes, only trailing champion Northwest Catholic of West Hartford. Arsenault, who just completed his ninth season as head coach, called this group his best team by far. Old Saybrook had quality depth, from No. 1 right to No. 5.

"They all contributed to major significant wins," Arsenault said. "They can all leave the season knowing that everybody played a big part with what happened. We had a lot of depth." While winning is definitely nice, what Arsenault enjoyed the most about the spring was working with his golfers and assistant coach Tim Payne. They spent time together on and off the golf course, forging a tight bond. Sometimes they went out for team meals. "The biggest thing is they're really good kids," Arsenault said. "They were a fun group. We took them out several times to get wings. We haven't done that with a lot of teams we've had. They really wanted to do things together."

Losing all-state golfer Jack Ayers might make it difficult for the Rams to repeat as conference champions next season. But don't count them out. Arsenault always seems to find a way to keep his team in contention. Arsenault teaches social studies at Old Saybrook. As a 1981 Ledyard graduate and reside of Niantic, he certainly knows his way around southeastern Connecticut. And a golf course, too.

- Gavin Keefe