A crowded practice is always a good thing.
The Frontier Regional School golf team had 24 athletes vying for varsity competition during preseason practices at Cherry Hill Golf Course in Amherst.
“I can’t explain it,” Frontier coach Bill Fitzpatrick said. “I just come out here and tell the kids we are out here to have fun. That’s what we do. We have a ball out here. They like playing. I coach them a little bit and they do the rest.”
The Hawks have won four consecutive league titles and are poised for another with Mikey Corduff leading the way.
“He’s been playing for 10 years,” Fitzpatrick said of Corduff.
During the summer, Corduff wasn’t happy with his tee shots and has adjusted before the season with a new driver.
“Lately I have been focused on hitting my driver straight,” Corduff said. “I switched drivers and I have started to hit it better. I never hit the driver I had very well.”
On the second day of practice, Corduff used the new driver with improved results. He has set some goals for himself this season.
“I would like to average around even par,” Corduff said. “I would also like to win Western Mass. as a team and individually.”
Corduff finished tied for third last season in the Western Mass. championship, with the Red Hawks placing second as a team.
“I didn’t play my absolute best,” Corduff said.
Andrew Corduff is another player to watch on the links, as he goes into his second season as a sophomore.
“He’s a grip it and rip it guy,” Fitzpatrick said.
Fitzpatrick will have eight players going to matches during the season, leaving the rest of the roster to work with assistant Trevor Allenby. That should set Frontier up for talented rosters in the future.
“The younger kids will be practicing a lot,” Fitzpatrick said. “I ask the older kids if they need help with their games today. If they say no, I am fine with that. They have a great work ethic. That allows me time to work with the younger kids.”
Fitzpatrick uses a cart to speed around Cherry Hill Golf Course during preseason to assist as many of the younger players as possible.
Kyle Maynard, Bryan Baumann, Rowan Blair, Porter Clancy, Gabe Gochinski, Jared Abt and Aiden Roche round out the upperclassmen on the roster.
Melaina Winston, a seventh grader, is the first female on the Frontier roster in the last five years.
The Red Hawks have a team goal to qualify for the state tournament.
Mohawk looking to improve — Ben Thompson is the No. 1 golfer for the Warriors.
Beyond that, there is an open competition among the young roster.
Sam Thompson, Douglas Wilcox, Logan Moore, Gage Patenaude and Austin Parker are penciled in for the first match.
“I expect the lineup to change on a match by match basis,” Mohawk coach Lewis Goodnow said. “Our motto for the year is get a little better every day.”
Mahar’s lone senior looks for a winning send-off — Tucker Ninteau has had a consistent club almost his entire career for the Senators.
During preseason, Ninteau’s driver and putter have impressed, according to first year coach Matt Bardsley.
The progress of Andrew Finch is coming along for the Senators at the No. 2 slot.
Eagles looking for continued success — Franklin Tech has a simple motto heading into the season.
“One match at a time,” Eagles’ coach Sean Knightly said. “Have fun and learn the game.”
Tentatively, Mike McGoldrick starts the season as the No. 1 golfer for Franklin Tech.
“He’s great,” Knightly said. “He’s been with us for three years and he always improves. He will be a good leader on the team.”
Jacob Shaw, Ryan Artus, Anthony Zager, Alex Sulda, Matt Marchefka and Jason Smith are all in the mix for the next five spots for the Eagles.
Greenfield looking to sophomore — Ryan Cote is shaping up to be the No. 1 for the Green Wave this season.
“Just really good all around,” Greenfield coach Josh Cook said of Cote. “He hits the ball a long way and is really accurate with his irons.”
Gabe Larouche, who has shown improvement every season for Greenfield, will take his position behind Cote at No. 2.
Turners Falls looking at competition for top spot — Joey Mosca and Brian Poirier are battling for the No. 1 spot for the Thunder.
Regardless, Turners Falls will some talent at the top two-spots.
“I have seen some improvements already this season,” Turners Falls coach Dave Kennedy said. “We are working on consistency. The shots on and around the green is where we are focusing to lower some scores.”
FC Tech
COACH: Sean Knightly, 5th season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Bi County West, Division champion
HOME COURSE: Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club
LAST YEAR’S RECORD 13-2
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2018) Vocational State Champions
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Mike McGoldrick; Jacob Shaw; Juniors – Ryan Artus; Sophomores – Anthony Zager; Alex Sulda ; Matt Marchefka; Jason Smith;
NEWCOMERS: Freshman – Jake Whitney; Cody Lively.
Frontier
COACH: Bill Fitzpatrick, 5th year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Suburban West
HOME COURSE: Cherry Hill Golf Course
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 15-1, league champion
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: Finished 12th at the MIAA State Division 2 Golf Championships.
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors – Bryan Baumann; Porter Clancy; Gabe Gochinski; Juniors – Mikey Corduff; Kyle Maynard; Rowan Blair; Sophomores – Kevin Baumann; Eighth grader – Gunnar Moore.
RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior – Jared Abt; Juniors – Aiden Roche; Sophomores – Colin Byrnes; Jim Carmichael; Andrew Corduff; Eighth grader – Robert Fuqua.
NEWCOMERS: Sophomore – Xander Frangie; Freshman – Marcus Larson. Eighth grader – Luke McCoy; Seventh graders – Cam Skiffington; Cade Allenby; John Carmichael; Drew Bennett; Melaina Winston; Charlie Dennis.
Greenfield
COACH: Josh Cook, 1st season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Bi County East
HOME COURSE: Country Club of Greenfield
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-5
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE:
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Gabe Larouche; Hunter Roberts; Jake Cote; Juniors – Ruari Maloney; Danny Provost; Jacob Frank; James Gamlin; Sophomores – Ryan Cote; Kris Bostrom; Freshman – Dylan Archer
Mahar
COACH: Matt Bardsley, 1st season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Suburban West
HOME COURSE: Ellinwood Country Club
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 0-11
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE:
RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior: Tucker Ninteau Sophomore – Andrew Finch; Freshman – Cameron Doyle; Jacob Bowers
NEWCOMERS: Seventh graders: Dillon Young; Joe Bisceglia;
Mohawk Trail
COACH:Lewis Goodnow, 13th season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Bi County West
HOME COURSE: Edge Golf Golf Course
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-8
RETURNING PLAYERS: Freshman – Ben Thompson; Eighth grader – Gage Patenaude.
NEWCOMERS: Freshman – Daniel Tetreault; Seventh graders – Sam Thompson; Douglas Wilcox; Austin Parker; Logan Moore; Deegan Kelleher; Phineas Tuttman.
Turners Falls
COACH: Dave Kennedy 11th season
LEAGUE/DIVISION:Bi County East
HOME COURSE: Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club
LAST YEAR’S RECORD:7-8
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE:
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors – Brian Poirier; Joe Kochan; Eighth graders – Aidan Bailey; Joey Mosca; Jeremy Kovalsick.
NEWCOMERS: Sixth grader – Jack Jette
