It was a hole-in-one start for Newtown High School's girls' golf program in 2015. In only its first campaign, the Nighthawks proved to be the best in the conference - not only going unbeaten in the regular season, but also winning the South-West Conference championship - then finished fifth in the state tournament despite entering into the Connecticutwide competition as the No. 13 seed.

"Last year, our expectations were to compete and enjoy the season, get after it - and start on building a program," said Newtown Coach Jeremy O'Connell, whose lineup built a very solid base for success - and then some.

"This year we have more of a bull's-eye on our back, but mentally we don't know anything different because we just went in and were successful," O'Connell said. "I think that they want to do even better. The fact they all have been working hard in the offseason shows their dedication to the program."

Led by captains Sarah Houle and Molly Wilson, a sophomore and junior, respectively, the Nighthawks have their top two spots in the lineup filled. The three remaining starting roles will go to whomever performs the best in preseason, and things may change as the regular season unfolds.

"It's going to be very competitive, which is a fantastic thing to have," O'Connell said of his team members vying for starting spots.

Newtown lost just three golfers from last year's team, and has lots of depth this time around.

Senior captain Hannah Logan, juniors Casey Muckell and Kayla Ward, and sophomores Camryn Findley, Kira Kelly, Liz Weisgerber, Sydney Marino, and Dani Powell round out the roster. Weisgerber is a returning starting along with Houle and Wilson.

The Nighthawks are striving to again be the best in the conference, but anticipate running into good competition from Joel Barlow of Redding, Masuk of Monroe, and Weston.

"We have set expectations for ourselves as a program but we know how difficult it is to consistently be successful," O'Connell said.

The coach adds that he'd like to see the Nighthawks focus on game management and being consistent, finding ways to pull through when they are struggling on the course.

Newtown begins the season when Joel Barlow of Redding visits Rock Ridge Country Club on Monday, April 4, beginning at 3 pm.