For the most part, prior to last week, the Woodstock Academy boys’ golf team had spent its time in hibernation so to speak.
“Learning the new USGA rules, hitting balls in the fields across the street from South Campus or working out in our new weight facility with our strength and training coaches,” Woodstock Academy coach Rich Garceau said as to what practice had generally consisted of.
Some teams down by the shoreline have had considerably more chances to get out on to the course.
That was shown a bit in the first match of the season where the Centaurs lost to East Lyme, 7-0, on their home course at the Quinnatisset Country Club April 10.
The Centaurs finished with an aggregate score of 187 compared to the Vikings’ 164 total.
“East Lyme is solid and should contend for an ECC title, and maybe even a state title this year,” Garceau said. “Coach (Rudy) Bagos always runs a class program and has great young men playing for him.  I have a lot of respect for their program and do wish the best for their success this season.”
Mason Stewart paced the Centaurs with a 42 with Owen Borski next at 44.
Freshman Kyle Brennan chipped in with a 50 while Robert Mahue finished with a 51 total.
That didn’t cut it against the Vikings who had all five players at 47 or less.
Evan Kluge was the medalist with a 38 while both Ben Bohmbach and Matt Orefice each added 41’s.
The Centaurs did have a better result at the River Ridge Golf Course in Jewett City April 11.
Four Woodstock Academy players finished in the 40s, led by Stewart with a 45 total. Borski was one-stroke back of Stewart followed by Liam McDermott at 47. Jake Starr also finished in the scoring with a 49.
Griswold (1-2) did have two players in the 40s. Coby Hagstrom turned in the best score of the day with a 42 and Matt Ladd shot a 49.
“Many of the golfers that I have coming back put up scores consistently under 45 and often dove into the 30s so with time and patience I have faith that they will be there by the time we have our next match against Plainfield and Putnam (April 22),” Garceau said of the scoring thus far for the Centaurs.
“We have been in the 30s a few times in practice, we just need to carry that over to our matches.  The boys are so anxious to be out and playing that their enthusiasm sometimes gets the better of them out on the course.  This has been leading to some over swinging and poor tempo at times.  With time and practice that rhythmic golf swing that we have been working will come back into play and all will be good,” the Woodstock coach added.
Girls Open with Win
Three players finished within four strokes of one another to lead the Woodstock Academy girls’ golf team to a 224-236 win over Norwich Free Academy in the season opener for both at the Norwich Golf Course April 10.
Linda St. Laurent led the way with a 51 while both Katherine Harrington and Kailey Lachappelle finished four strokes back with a 55.
Norwich Free Academy’s Haley Price led all golfers with a 48.
Harrington, a senior captain, had a personal moment of glory.
She had her first career hole-in-one in a practice last week.
Harrington used a seven-iron on the seventh hole at Quinnatisset to record the ace.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy

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