As the final tee of the season was set, the boys’ golf team’s season closed out with a 2-13 record. Golf’s season ended Wednesday, Oct. 8 after its final match of the season, losing to Braintree 81-93.
According to PEHW teacher Robert MacDougall, the head coach, the team underwent major progression throughout this season, especially considering the novelty of the program at North. He said this was a result of the success of the team’s relentless perseverance.
Having lost a lot of seniors last year, the Tigers focused on rebuilding and gaining experience. Senior Raleigh Shoemaker, a captain along with senior Graham Sanger, said, “We have had a lot of freshmen come in, and they have done a really good job. They’ve really responded well to the role they needed to play for us to be a successful team this year.” With three freshmen on the varsity team, the Tigers knew they had to “lock in,” according to Sanger.
Sanger added that the rest of the team became inspired by the freshmen honing their skills. “Everyone started to harness their own game, and it felt like an all-around team performance,” said Sanger.
Persisting through the season while building their confidence, the Tigers’ efforts finally paid off with two wins near the end of their season and a Sullivan Cup victory. Though the Tigers’ wins were rare, their consistent effort never faltered.
According to Sanger, the Tigers’ unwavering team morale was a result of the Stableford scoring system.
Though golf is often perceived as a low scoring game, North follows a format of golf where each player is rewarded based on how many strokes it takes them to make a shot, with the lowest amount being rewarded the highest points. For example, in a match against Braintree at home, junior Neil McMahon shot four over par, earning him and his team 14 points.
“It allows our players to bounce back, and it doesn’t really look as bad. It stops counting once you go six over, and you can go all the way to 20 and it doesn’t make a difference,” said Sanger.
“It really helps, morale-wise, to score that way.”
Overall, according to MacDougall, the Tigers’ mindset shifts and physical achievements were cause for pride. “From where we were to where we finished was fantastic growth by our team,” he said. “The team was very young, and kids who were brand new to the program achieved fantastic things.”
