The winningest team on campus. Who do you think of? Soccer? Lacrosse? Hockey? Wrong. It’s the Boys Varsity Golf Team. Last season, the Golf team set an all-time record, finishing 20-1. They aren’t one of the more high-profile sports on campus, but the golf team is hitting hard again this year.

The 2018 roster is made up of Senior Captain Jack Phelan, Jake Durocher, Tyler Senecal, Junya Ozaki, Cam Jefferson, Owen Randolph, Tom Lawry, Jack Fay, Matt Shields, and Billy Smith. As of now, the Golf team has a 13-2 record. The head coach of the Varsity Golf team is Coach Michael Fay.

The Golf team plays at The Ledges Golf Club in South Hadley. Every day the team rides out on a mini bus to The Ledges to work on their game. Whether chipping and putting, playing five holes, or playing a full round, each day the team is gearing up for its next opponent.

The team usually plays in two matches a week. Each match is either against one, two, or three other prep school teams. Matches consist of six players; each golfer is partnered up with the other teams participating in the matches, and play either nine or 18 holes.

Coach Fay picks the top four players the day before the match; the other players participate in a qualifying match at practice to compete for the last two spots.

Captain Jack Phelan ’18 is happy the way his team is playing so far, and especially proud of the depth of the team’s lineup.

“We have a great group of guys this year,” Jack said. “From our top guys to our bottom guys it is very strong, there is not much difference between us and that is what makes us so good.”

Tyler Senecal ’19, echoed the importance of having talent up and down the ladder. “It is important to have everyone on the team playing well,” he said. With a couple bad scores, we may not win that match.”

This says a lot to the team’s overall talent. Last year, the team average per 9 holes was 39.25. As of May 7 this year, it was 40.4.

“Being a good golfer does not just happen overnight,” Jack said. “It takes a lot of practice and focus. Golf is a game of patience and if you keep practicing and playing the game smart and safe you will see changes in your game.”

Although the team needs to be on point every match, there’s an element of relaxation that keeps the team tight-knit despite the competitive nature of the sport.

“It is a great group,” senior Jake Durocher said. “We have a ton of fun out there every day. You can’t complain about golfing every day after school.”