Mounties Display Depth in Win at Wahconah
DALTON, Mass. – The Mount Greylock golf team Tuesday earned a statement win at Wahconah Country Club.
That statement: The Mounties are as deep as anyone.
Four different Mount Greylock golfers carded rounds of 41 or better in a 152-175 win for the undefeated Mounties (11-0).
Jacob Hillman led the way with an even-par 35 that included a pair of birdies.
Tanner Haig-Taylor and Kai Nafziger finished at 37 and 39, respectively, and Max Wied contributed a 41 on a day when all eight Mount Greylock players posted scores in the 40s or below.
“It’s awesome to see some younger guys playing well and shooting some low scores,” Hillman, a junior, said after earning medalist honors. “That way we can grow the program as the years go on.”
Wahconah was led by Kesler Anello and Logan Aitken, who each finished at 39. Each earned a birdie, on Nos. 7 and 4, respectively.
But from the start, Wahconah coach Pete Terpak had a sense that something was a little off with his squad.
“They were tense from the get-go,” Terpak said. “And it started on the first hole. You look at some of the numbers in the beginning. Outside of Braylen [Washburn], who went 9, 9 after he started very strong, but we got off to a bad start.
“Kesler [Anello] … was 3-over right away and then never got any momentum coming back. I watched him, and all the bounces were not going his way. And that happens with golf.”
Of course, even if Wahconah (6-4) had finished in the 160s as it has most of the year, it was up against a buzzsaw on Tuesday.
“This is a great score,” Terpak said. “A 152 is tremendous. So hats off to them. Undefeated seasons don’t come around often, so [the Mounties] are well on their way. I would say they’re going to be the top Western Mass choice, probably … because it’s in our backyard, and they’re a very, very deep team.”
Wahconah and Mount Greylock likely will see each other again on Oct. 19 in the Division 2 Western Mass Championships at Berkshire Hills Country Club.
The Mounties are not ready to call themselves the favorites, but their strength in numbers is undeniable.
“That’s the lowest score as long as I can remember,” Mounties coach Erik Tiele said of Tuesday’s performance. That’s a quality win against a quality opponent. … It’s like my last four, five and six, they’re interchangeable [in the lineup]. Tanner [Haig-Taylor] could play four just as easy if I bumped Rodric [Rustay] down or one of the other kids down.
“It worked out really well this year going to the eight-man format has basically helped us a little bit because we’re deep.”
Teams bring six golfers to the state sectional tournament; the top four scores count toward the team standings.
“We’re really excited,” Hillman said about the near future for the Mounties. “But we’re just gonna keep on focusing on the matches ahead and try to get that undefeated record and then, hopefully, play well at Western Mass.”
Photos from this match to come.
Mount Greylock 152
Jacob Hillman 35; Max Wied 41; Kai Nafziger 39; Rodric Rustay 45; Odin Wojtkowski 47; Tanner Haig-Taylor 37; Wrex Wojtkowski 49; Jack Elder 47.
Wahconah 175
Kesler Anello 39; Joe Hoffmann 48; Logan Aitken 39; Braylen Washburn 51; Caleb Colombari 50; Joey Houle 49; Scott Hoffmann 54; Lucas Murach 69.