STAMFORD, Vt. — The Stamford Valley Golf Course had its first hole in one of the season on Tuesday and the first career hole in one for 19-year-old Stamford native Matthew Lawrence.

 

Lawrence grew up around the game of golf, which is no surprise considering his parents, Mark and Melissa Lawrence, are owners of the course.

 

He began golfing at the young age of 5 and continues to play the game today. He was a four-year member of the varsity golf team at Drury High School, where he finished second as an individual at the Berkshire County Golf Classic and won the Western Massachusetts Tournament with his team as a senior.

 

"I picked up the knowledge of the game from my dad and my older brother, Nick," Lawrence said. "And my high school golf coach Don Dagnoli has made me the player I am today."

 

Lawrence hit the shot on the first hole of the course from the blue tees, which is a 250-yard shot, and recorded a score of 35 for the round.

 

Jake Tietgens, Nolan Bird, Nick Lawrence, John Tietgens, Nick Trombley and Doug Sigsbury witnessed the shot, which Lawrence hit with his driver.

 

"I watched it roll into the cup and didn't know what to do, but then I let out some emotions," he said. "I was happy that my friends I grew up golfing with were there to share the moment with me."

 

Lawrence graduated from Drury High School in 2014 and went on to Franklin Pierce University, where he is a member of the varsity golf team. He will be playing in the Deerfield Valley golf league this summer during his time off from school.