The girls golf program at Mars was in only its second season last fall.

But don't tell that to the Planets section opponents.

Mars steamrolled through its section slate in 2005, compiling a record of 14-0 to win its first title.

So what's in store for the Planets in 2006?

It very well could be more of the same.

With sisters Marisa and Lauren Glew returning for their senior seasons, the upcoming campaign could be bad news for the Planets' foes once again.

Marisa tied for third at the WPIAL individual championships last October and Lauren was not far behind in a tie for eighth place.

The Planets then finished out team play by placing third at the district finals before Marisa managed sixth place at the PIAA individual championship match in York.

Mars coach Bill Pettigrew can see a lot of similarities in the sisters' games.

"They complement each other so well," Pettigrew said. "They're usually one stroke apart in match play."

But the talent doesn't stop with the Glews. Also returning this year is senior Megan Gibson, junior Brittany Jones and sophomore Corrine Dye — all of whom played key roles in the Planets' success a season ago.

"The addition of those three girls, that's what helped us win the section last year," said Pettigrew.

The Planets open the season Monday against Pine-Richland at Rittswood Golf Course.

Preview capsules for the 11 area boys teams and three area girls teams follow:

A-C ValleyCoach: Dave Sherman, fifth year

2005 finish: The Falcons won their third straight Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference title

Home course: Foxburg Country Club

Top returning players: senior Shawn Courson (second team All-KSAC), junior Nate Silvis, sophomore Luke McCall

In the mix: senior Garrett Greathouse and underclassman Nick McGuirk

Sherman says: "We lost Sean Foust and Ted Marron from last year. They're the last two KSAC MVPs and it leaves pretty big shoes to fill."

Butler (boys)Coach: Hank Keller, 15th year

2005 finish: The Golden Tornado tied for fifth in the section

Home course: Butler Country Club

Top returning players: senior Collin Randall (3-year letterman), juniors Matt Maloy and Andrew Shakely (both 2-year lettermen) and sophomore Antonio Baroffio (letterman)

In the mix: seniors Luke Holland, Trevor Maser and freshman Steven Feczko

Keller says: "We've been near the bottom of our section the last few years. Our goal is to move into that upper tier of teams."

Butler (girls)Coach: Sarah Parker, first year

2005 finish: N/A

Home course: Hiland Golf Course

Top players: juniors Jana Skiles, Kelly Bandura and Brittany Scott, sophomore Arianna Rock and freshman Mara Shingleton

In the mix: junior Stella Vaughn, sophomore Sarah Thomas and freshman Taylor Schnur

Parker says: "When we started back in June, the girls didn't know how to mark a ball. We've improved leaps and bounds since then. The girls are shooting in the 50s and that's phenomenal."

FreeportCoach: Dave Panach, 17th year

2005 finish: Freeport was third in its section

Home course: Buffalo Golf Course

Top returning players: None

In the mix: seniors D.J. Lingelbach, L.J. Gaston and Matt Giesler, juniors Clay Fritz and Cody Bergad and sophomores Kaine Mowatt, Tyler Thompson and Clayton Smith

Panach says: "I'm hoping we can be respectable this season and maybe play spoiler with some of the better teams in our section."

Grove City

Coach: Pat Forese, seventh year

2005 finish: The Eagles placed first in District 10, Region 2

Home course: Grove City Country Club

Top returning players: senior Cameron Peterson (23rd at PIAA championships in 2005), junior Derek Forese (13th at PIAA) and senior Zach Nesbit

In the mix: senior Phil Lehman, junior Garrett Molloy and sophomore Steve Deyarmin

Forese says: "We're very optimistic about this season. Cameron and Derek are both excellent golfers. If they can combine to come in at par, and Zach a few strokes over par, we should be in pretty good shape."

Karns CityCoach: Pat Preston, sixth year

2005 finish: The Gremlins finished 0-10

Home course: St. Jude Golf Club

Top returning players: senior Beau Bachman and juniors Matt Hillwig and Saxon Parker

In the mix: junior Eric Kriebel

Preston says: "Our top three golfers are returning lettermen. After that, we're going to throw in some younger kids and see what happens."

Knoch

Coach: Rob Voltz, fifth year

2005 finish: The Knights placed second in their section with a 9-3 record

Home course: Saxon Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors Cam Fusko, Tom Gillespie and John Hook and junior Joe Sopcisak

In the mix: sophomores Kory Schorr and Joe Boros

Voltz says: "Our section got a bit tougher because we lost Valley and picked up Kiski Area, and they're a bigger school. But we're hoping to be as competitive as we were last year."

Mars (boys)Coach: Tim Tyler, fifth year

2005 finish: The Planets were 9-3 in their section and 11-5 overall

Home course: Rittswood Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors Brian Routhieaux, R.J. Hardt, Greg Hilscher and junior Ian Finney

In the mix: sophomore Steve Tracy

Tyler says: "Our goal every season is to make the playoffs and we're in a very tough section with Shady Side Academy and Knoch ... and Hampton is always tough."

Mars (girls)

Coach: Bill Pettigrew, third year

2005 finish: The Planets won their section with a 14-0 record and placed third at WPIALs

Home course: Rittswood Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors Marisa Glew (tied for sixth at PIAAs), Lauren Glew (tied for eighth at WPIALs), Megan Gibson, junior Brittany Jones and sophomore Corrine Dye.

In the mix: a group of sophomores and freshmen: Katherine Howe, Gabrielle Plesniak, Sarah Hudac, Kayla Finney, Megan Morrow, Resa Nelson and Terri Deteier

Pettigrew says: "We're hoping to play well this season and be in the running for another section title."

Moniteau

Coaches: Domenica Zingone and Machelle Spence-Scott, second year

2005 finish: The Warriors won three matches

Home course: Shamrock Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors Devin Christie and Cody Slater and juniors Erik Fort, Paul Thompson and Cody Stewart

In the mix: freshmen Michael Saper and Ethan Fowler

Zingone says: "We've got a fine group this year and they're enthusiastic. They've played well over the summer and we're hoping to have a real good season."

Seneca Valley (boys)Coach: Steve Mayes, 18th year

2005 finish: The Raiders were 10-6 and finished third in their section

Home course: Cranberry Highlands

Top returning players: senior Kirk Pappas

In the mix: seniors Matt Kravec and Ben Skal, juniors Luke Martin, Dave Roberts, John Raymus, Ryan Slack, Andrew Pang and sophomore Matt Vogt

Mayes says: "We're very inexperienced. The sooner the boys can gain experience and mature, the better off we'll be."

Seneca Valley (girls)Coach: Lynn Wagner, seventh year

2005 finish: The Raiders managed a 10-4 record and a third-place finish in their section

Home course: Connoquenessing Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors Chelsie Schade, Jill Branby, Sam Craig, Emily Campbell and junior Shannon O'Halloran

In the mix: senior Kelly Colovos, sophomores Brit Courtney, Kristen Drevna and Kellie Clarke and freshman Brooke Arrington

Wagner says: "We've got an interesting mix of older players and younger girls this year. I think that works well for the future of the team."

Slippery RockCoach: Merle Whitmer, 22nd year

2005 finish: The Rockets were sixth out of eight teams in District 10's Region 2

Home course: Oakview Golf Club

Top returning players: seniors Chris Newcomb and Sean LeFebvre, juniors Nick Cress and Jesse Badgett, sophomores Jeff Tracy and Tim Chavez

In the mix: senior Chris Miller, junior Joe Hemphill and sophomores Shawn Beatty and Jenna Rinker

Whitmer says: "What we'd like to do this year is finish in the top half of the eight teams in the region. But you never know how it's going to turn out. Golf can be so unpredictable."

UnionCoach: Tom Minick, eighth year

2005 finish: The Golden Knights put up a 2-10 record

Home course: Clarion Oaks Golf Course

Top returning players: juniors Spencer Varner and Clay Burns and sophomores Eddie Stewart, Travis Anthony and John Heeter

In the mix: seniors Chase Stewart and Brandon Johnston, sophomore Neil Scott and freshman Scott Booth

Minick says: "We're hoping to finish in the top three in the (KSAC) this season. The bulk of our experience lies with our younger kids."