Deep Hudson boys golf squad seeks repeat of National Conference title

Thanks to a blend of experience and youth, this year’s edition of Hudson boys golf will be strong again.

Four-year head coach Matt Villenauve is excited, but he is attempting to be measured.

The 2022 championship coach in the Suburban League National Conference, Villenauve has some big-time players.

In all, eight players return from a unit that won the National team crown and a Division I sectional team title with a 305 at the Windmill Lakes tournament!

“The varsity and JV has played 198 holes of competitive golf in the first 13 days of the season,” said Villenauve.

“After winning the first of four Suburban League Tournaments by 28 strokes (at Pine Hills), our spirits are high,” added Villenauve. “So now we fine tune which means wedges, putters, sand shots and recovery,” explained the head coach. “If we can improve in those areas while maintaining our current ball striking, success will find us.”

Returning players include junior Sam Fauver, senior Callahan Lawler, junior Mike Dorony, sophomore Koen Vanscoy, junior Benjamin Matava, junior Adam Ruffer, sophomore Sam Schmitt and sophomore Charlie Buynak.

A bundle of newcomers, paced by Fauver’s freshman brother, Ben Fauver, will also help.

Villenauve is not shy on the potential of Ben Fauver or this brother tandem.

Sam Fauver is a team captain and the top returnee with a deep resume. He is the reigning 2022 sectional medalist with a 68 and a district qualifier, the Suburban League National Player of The Year, and made All-NEO Coaches.

“Hudson has been gifted with a rich history of elite players,” said Villenauve. “When Sam leaves us in 2025, he will join those ranks because he ignores no part of his game. Each season Sam returns a better player and a better man and continues to quietly lead by example. His future is crazy bright.”

“Sam is ranked fifth as 2025 graduate in Ohio,” he added. “He had Golfweek summer wins at Avalon Lakes, the University of Michigan, and Northstar.”

Lawler is Hudson’s elder statesmen! A second-year senior captain, Lawler earned The Most Improved honor in 2022.

The gifted Lawler fired a 74 in sectionals for a top 4 finish and had a strong 79 (43-36) at districts. He was a second-team all-league pick.

“Callahan returns for his third varsity campaign and second run as team captain,” said Villenauve. “Callahan worked incredibly hard in the off-season to bring a young team together while still grinding to raise the level of his game.”

“I think Callahan’s game is really close right now and I really see great things coming,” he added.

Depth is building for Hudson.

“Mike (Dorony) and Benjamin (Matava) jumped to varsity after spending two years at JV and Koen (Vanscoy) joins us after one year at JV,” said Villenauve.

“There is some similarity between the three of these players,” Villenauve added. “All three picked up a bunch of distance and the ability to score. Collectively, their scoring improvement from last year to this year is striking. Every bit of it is earned. All three of them started the work right after the end of the 2022 season.”

The younger Fauver, Ben, had a massive summer with wins at NOPGA Ashland and Lake Forest, plus Golfweek wins at Avalon Lakes, Golfweek Indiana and Northstar.

“Ben earned the number two spot in the lineup coming out of tryouts playing behind his brother,” stressed Villenauve. “He had a dominant summer after spending a ton of time working indoors on his game. Ben is golf-wise beyond his years in his knowledge of the swing and his understanding and respect of the game.”

“It is exciting for all of us to watch Ben and Sam do Fauver things on the golf course,” said Villenauve.

There is more new talent, including Dexter James and Jerry Du.

“Dex and Jerry both know how to battle,” offered Villenauve. “They do not hit the ball as far as most, but they make up for it with short game prowess that is just spectacular. At our soggy tournament (at the Country Club of Hudson on Aug 14), Jerry posted 75 while Dexter fired 79. There were just great results on a difficult day.”

Early on averages were impressive with Sam Fauver at 71.5, Ben Fauver at 77.0, and Dorony at 78.25.

Hudson will be a favorite in the league. The Suburban League season kicked off Aug. 8 as the first three SL Tournaments each comprise 20-percent of the season point total. The end of season tournament makes up 40-percent.

Hudson won with a 302, followed by Stow 330, Twinsburg 332, and Brecksville 334.

Sam Fauver was the medalist with a 71. Dorony was second with a 74 and Ben Fauver placed fourth with a 77. Solon’s Matt Contipelli was third (76) as the Comets made their league debut.

Lawler added an 80, Matava 81, and Vanscoy, a round of 82.

“Three league tournaments remain and Stow has shown quick improvement early in the season,” said the coach. “Our season is quick and our first tournament feels like minutes after tryouts ended. Our players know they must enter the season with few blemishes to succeed.”

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hudson boys golf team primed for another run at state tournament