“Not too hot.”

For Union Springs golfers Dustin Clark, Luke Patterson and Matt Cuff, it doesn't take many words to sum up their play in last year's individual Section IV tournament.

But the Wolves' trifecta is a year older, a year better and they believe, more prepared to take on the challenging Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University today at sectionals.

“Last year we were just shocked,” Patterson said. “We had no idea what the course was like, especially from the gold tees. We weren't prepared. But this year, there's a big difference.”

On Monday, Union Springs coach Todd Salls took his golfers to Cornell for a practice round on the intimidating course, something they weren't afforded last season.

“They hadn't even seen the back-nine before sectionals,” Salls said. “They didn't play well but it was a learning experience. With a course like Cornell it's all about comfort. Most courses we play (during the season) it's driver, wedge into holes. At Cornell, it's driver, 4-iron, 5-iron or even wood.”

The Wolves have seen their share of success during the regular season and hope that transfers to the postseason tournaments. Patterson averaged a 37, Clark a 38 and Cuff a 39 to lead Union Springs to an 11-3 record.

“It's been a lot of fun this year,” said Salls, who is the Wolves' first-year coach. “For most matches you didn't know who was going to turn in the low round - it's been that tight. With these three and Nate (Gavitt), we've had a steady core of four golfers lead the way.”

Clark said the top of the Union Springs' leaderboard has been so even, it's done nothing but bring out added aggressiveness in each golfer.

“You've got to have that competition,” Clark said. “When I see Luke or Matt shoot a low score, I've got to post one a little lower. I think we've all made each other better.”

The Wolves would hate to waste a stellar regular season with a poor showing at sectionals, but even more so they feel this year poses the best opportunity to nab a sectional or IAC title from powerhouse Lansing.

“This is our team year,” said Cuff, a sophomore. “Luke and Dustin are seniors so this is the best talent we'll have for a couple years. I've got two more seasons to worry about individual titles. This year it's about the team.”

With the seasons Clark, Patterson and Cuff have had, the postseason expectations are certainly high. Today at individual sectionals, the top 20 golfers advance to the second round on Saturday and after that, the top nine advance to the state championship.

“I'd like to break 80,” Patterson said. “That'd put me in a good position to play on Saturday. But it's a realistic expectation for all of us. We all know we should be playing on the second day and we know we've got a shot at making states.”

Cornell may be the most difficult golf course in Central New York, but the Wolves embrace the opportunity to play against the best golfers in the section and compete on an elite-level course. But each agrees, losing focus just once on a course like Cornell can cost an entire day.

“You love the challenge, but one bad hole can cost you a decent round,” Clark said. “You've got to play every hole by itself. If you bogey or hit a bad shot you've got to forget about it. At Cornell you can lose strokes in bunches. That's what I think happened last year, it was all mental. You step up to the tee box and are like, 'Wow, I've never seen this before' and you feel unprepared. You can lose your focus that quickly.”

After individual sectionals, Cuff, Clark and Patterson will join their teammates for team sectionals Monday at Maple Hill Golf Club in Marathon and then for the IAC Championship Wednesday at Soaring Eagle Golf Course in Horseheads.