Meet the members of the Daily News boys golf All-Star team for fall 2023
After combing over statistics and results, and with the guidance of local athletic directors and coaches, we at the Daily News selected All-Stars for girls volleyball, golf, field hockey, boys and girls cross-country, boys and girls soccer and football.
Although the sports and skill sets may vary, there’s no denying that this group put up otherworldly numbers this fall while helping their respective teams find success – whether that be on the course, field or in the gymnasium.
Presenting the 2023 Daily News All-Stars for golf:
Brendan Estaphan, Westborough
The Mid-Wach A All-Star tied for ninth at sectionals and averaged 37.5 for nine holes. This senior captain shot a 75 in both the league and sectional tourneys. He carded an 86 at States. Estaphan was a Daily News All-Star and individual league champion last year. The varsity tennis player is also part of the Microbank investment club and the school newspaper. “Brendan has been a strong performer for us since his return to Westborough (from St. John’s) as a junior,” said coach Sandy Robichaud. “His commitment to the team and his improvement to his game has been extraordinary.”
Connor Griffin, Blackstone Valley Tech
Shot a 3-under 69 to win the State Voke title and was medalist at the Colonial Athletic League tournament with a 71. This junior was medalist in 10 matches and placed sixth at Sectionals. Griffin helped lead the Beavers to wins at the State Voke and league championships. “Connor was a tri-captain this season as a junior,” said coach Craig Allen. “He was the catalyst of our team. He has worked so hard on his game, which the other players took notice and worked hard to match his level.”
Oliver Harris, Marlborough
The Mid-Wach B All-Star finished in a tie for third at the Division 2 Central tournament with a 2-over 74 at Maplegate to qualify for the state tournament. This senior posted an 11-5 record in his fourth varsity season for the Panthers. Harris was named team MVP and a league All-Star as a junior and was earlier named Most Improved. He plays club hockey for the Flames and for Marlborough High. The National Honor Society member also plays clarinet and saxophone.
Colin Haynes, Hopedale
This freshman tied for eighth at both Sectionals and States and helped lead the Blue Raiders to a 15-3 record, including 8-0 in the Dual Valley Conference. His 39.4 season average, with a low of 33, helped him score in all of his matches. The two-time DVC All-Star also plays basketball and is a member of DECA. His favorite subject is math. "Colin has already shown he is going to be a special player," said Hopedale coach Brett Boyd. "I look forward to him leading our program for the next three years."
Santiago Hernandez, Blackstone Valley Tech
This junior earned medalist honors once and placed third at both the State Voke and Colonial Athletic League championships. Hernandez helped BVT to a 15-1 record, the State Voke Large School title and the CAL crown. “Santiago really took the next step up this season, grasping hold of the #2 spot on our team,” said coach Craig Allen. “He and Charlie Leighton were a fantastic team in my second group. ‘Santi’ has a relaxed laid-back mood for the game. He is able to cast away a bad shot and refocus on the next shot.”
Tim Hill, Dover-Sherborn
The four-time Tri-Valley League All-Star tied for third at Sectionals with a 74 and tied for fourth at States behind a 75. This senior captain was part of two team state championships and was twice named team MVP. Hill will play golf at Gettysburg University next year. "One of the finest golfers in the area," said coach Jon Kirby. “Without Tim Hill we do not win Sectionals or State titles. Had to play in the shadow of Charlie Potter, but in a team sport he was always there to contribute great golf.”
Kaushal Karupakula, Natick
Karupakula completed a standout season with a seventh-place finish after shooting a 76 at States. This sophomore also finished ninth at the Division 1 South sectional. He averaged 15 points per match. Karupakula is part of the Stocks Club and also participates in cricket, badminton and swimming. He speaks five languages: Sanskrit, Kannada, Hindi, Telugu and English. Karupakula aspires to play Division 1 golf in college and study business.
Ryan Keyes, Wellesley
The two-time team MVP won the Bay State Conference and Sectional titles in addition to placing third at States. This senior also had 10 top-5 finishes and three victories. Keyes won the 2021 individual state championship and is a three-time league All-Star. The National Honor Society member enjoys skiing and fishing and will golf at Columbia next year. “Ryan has led our team over the last three years on and off the course,” said coach Ken Bateman. “He has been a captain and our best player over the last two years, averaging sub-par for 9 holes through the year.”
Charlie Leighton, Blackstone Valley Tech
Leighton, a sophomore, placed fourth at the Colonial Athletic League championship and ninth at the State Voke championship, shooting a 76 both times. He fired another 76 at Sectionals, where he finished in a tie for sixth at Maplegate. “Making the team as a freshman last season was not good enough for Charlie. He wanted to be one of my top/go-to golfers this season and with his work over the summer, he became that player," said BVT coach Craig Allen. "Charlie is super focused on the game and works hard at continuing to get better.”
Lucas Levasseur, Hopedale
This senior captain shot a 1-over 73 to become medalist at the Central Mass Tournament for the second time. He is a three-time Dual Valley League All-Star and two-time DVC Player of the Year. His season average was 36.2 and he was medalist in 15 of 18 matches. Levasseur finished fifth at States and will continue his golf career at Assumption. "One of the best leaders of our program you could ever ask for," said coach Brett Boyd. "An absolute gem both on and off the golf course"
Ben Madden, Wellesley
The two-time Bay State Conference All-Star placed second at the league championship and third at Sectionals. This senior placed 29th at States after shooting a 72 and helped the Raiders win the conference title in each of his seasons. “Ben has been an integral part of our team’s success over the last three years,” said coach Ken Bateman. “We have counted his score in all of the most significant matches over the last three years, and our team will be missing a big part of our success next year.”
Charlie Potter, Dover-Sherborn
Won the State Division 2 individual title with a 1-over 71 at Thorny Lea, helping the Raiders win the team crown. This sophomore is a returning Daily News All-Star and was named Tri-Valley League MVP this season. Holds course records at Sassamon Trace and Pinecrest. Attends Kohr Golf Academy, caddies at Dedham CC and played freshman basketball. Accompanied high school youth group church service trip to rural Maine. “Without Charlie Potter anchoring our team we wouldn't have been able to win our second state title in 3 years.” said coach Jon Kirby. “Charlie is without a doubt one of the best golfers in the state.”
Sean Scannell, Dover-Sherborn
Finished sixth at Sectionals with a 76 at Maplegate and shot an 89 at States to help the Raiders win the Division 2 title for the first time. This senior represented Massachusetts at the New England Championships held in Connecticut last year, when he was named Tri-Valley League Small MVP and won the Sectional tournament. He was a Daily News All-Star last year and works at Woods Hole Golf Club and will attend Providence College. Also plays hockey and lacrosse.
CJ Steele, Franklin
This senior and two-time captain finished in a tie for 23rd at States and was third at the Division 1 Central championship after he shot an even-par 72 at Pleasant Valley Country Club.
Parker Winn, Hopkinton
This junior capped a dream season by finishing tied for first at the Central Mass Division 1 tournament at Pleasant Valley Country Club with a 1-under-par 71. He shot an 84 at States in Hampden. Winn was named Tri-Valley League Large MVP and is a three-time league All-Star. His average for nine holes this season was 37. Winn also plays hockey at Hopkinton and helped the Hillers reach the state final last year at TD Garden. “He played a lot of good golf all summer,” said Hopkinton coach Bill Phaneuf.
Hugo Young, Lincoln-Sudbury
A four-year varsity golfer and a two-time captain, Young placed 13th at Sectionals. This senior is a two-time Dual County League All-Star. He earned a spot as an individual golfer in the D1 central sectionals in his junior year, and this past year, led the Warriors to a D1 Central sectionals return. He will golf at St. John Fisher next year. The L-S Scholar volunteers at the local food bank. and coaches youth golf. "Hugo showed his leadership on and off the course," said coach Chris Akoury. "He was the leader of our team. He did everything he could to get himself and his teammates better. He is a great golfer but more importantly he is a great young man."
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: MetroWest Boys Golf All-Stars: Meet the Fall 2023 team
