'Little bit of a challenge': Local golfers weather elements at Division 3 state championship at Sterling National
STERLING — For the record, Monday's Division 3 state golf championship at Sterling National Country Club, plagued by an onslaught of woeful weather, brought about a potpourri of emotions for the many locals looking to end their seasons and, in some cases, high school careers, on a positive note.
No player from Central Mass. captured the individual championship, and no school from the local area took first place among teams. Further the majority of final scores were elevated by wet conditions, a soggy scenario that persisted throughout the day.
Weston (322) won the team title by a stroke over St. John Paul II, which had individual champion Jack Carstensen (1-over 73). Hopedale's Lucas Levasseur and Uxbridge's Cam Caso tied for fifth at 80.
Ayer-Shirley, which went 15-0 during the regular season and was victorious in the state sectionals, battled hard and placed fourth, one spot behind Hopedale, with Monty Tech finishing sixth.
"We've had a great year, but this one was rough — the conditions were really wet, everywhere," Ayer-Shirley No. 1 hitter Sohil Patel, a senior, said. "I did what I could, I tried my best. But it's disappointing to have the last match of your senior year go like that. These things happen — I tried my best. We'll get over it and move on."
Patel's teammates playing in the match included Reid Ohanesian, Aadi Patel, Tommy Bergin, Jason Turner and Tyler Crawford.
Sohil Patel loves golf and plans on playing after high school, in any venue available. This includes hitting balls in college, though Patel is unsure where that would be.
"I definitely want to try and play golf in college, but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen," Patel said. "I'll always have a passion for the game, I know I can keep playing for a very long time. And I don't plan to ever stop playing golf.
"But I'd really like to play golf in college, and it doesn't matter what level it is," Patel said. "If I were to get a scholarship, I'd probably end up taking that. Wherever I go to college, if they have a golf team, I'll try to make the team, D1, D2 or D3. This includes trying to make the team as a walk-on."
Though Patel sports a solid all-around game, a course like Sterling National proved to be daunting.
"This course was a little bit of a challenge for me," Patel said. "My favorite club in my bag is my driver, but at this course, I couldn't pull out my driver much. I hit one driver in this match. This is like a target golf-type course. You have to play the lower clubs off the tee, like a low iron or a hybrid, which is what I hit off most tees. And no matter what happened out there today, I still love the game."
Hopedale's Colin Haynes, a freshman and the No. 2 Blue Raider's hitter behind top man Levasseur, posted a solid round, despite the elements. He shot a respectable 81 and was satisfied with the results.
"I thought I played OK — I got off the tee well, and that's always important," Haynes said. "At the end, I had a few three putts but, overall, I thought I played OK."
Haynes strives to get the most off the tee, no matter what the playing conditions or venue may be.
"I probably gain the most strokes off the tee, and my putting is pretty solid as well," Haynes said. "But this was tough today — the conditions were brutal, to say the least. Puddles everywhere. One kid was up to his shoulders in water after he fell in a well. Not ideal, but we all gave it our best. And I'll be back for more next year."
Haynes added that he's thoroughly enjoyed the season, a fun run highlighted by several outstanding matches. Numerous players (including state tournament participants CJ Kivlehan, Carter Lachiatto, Evan McCall and Trevor Lachiatto) have contributed.
"Our guys gave it their best today, but it was very wet out there — conditions were tough," Kivlehan said. "I have to admit that I, personally, did not do well at all. I shot an 87, and that's completely abnormal. It's tough, I'm a senior, so this could be it for me, but I'm not sure. I hope to go to college for a year and see where that takes me.
"Moving forward, knowing that our team had a great year helps — we only had three losses," Kivlehan added. "I just hate to see it all end like this."
Clinton sophomore Thomas Bates, though unhappy with the weather, got the most out of his round, noting, among other things, that it was a learning experience hitting alongside so much talent.
"I think, overall, it all was OK, especially given the weather and the circumstances," Bates said. "I ran through a couple of rough patches, but then kind of pulled myself out of them. I'd go on a par streak for a couple of holes, then make a bogey or two. Overall, though, a decent effort."
Bates, Clinton's lone player at the tournament, enjoyed the competitive environment. For the record, playing competitively, or just playing, keeps Bates going. In addition, picking up pointers from others and simply watching competitors hit enhances the learning process. Bates plays much of his non-high school golf at Cyprian Keyes, a golfer-friendly locale that helps Bates hone his skills.
"But playing at the state tournament is truly a great experience," Bates added. "I think it's fabulous playing against the strong competition. The atmosphere is wonderful, too. It's a lot of fun being around all the great coaches and players. And it's good golf."
—Contact Craig Holt at sports@telegram.com.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Local golfers weather elements at Division 3 states at Sterling National
