All of the pieces appear to be in place for the Northampton golf team in 2021.
The Blue Devils boast steady talent at the top of the lineup, as well as experience throughout to make a run at large-scale goals.
Sophomore Galen Fowles, the Blue Devils’ No. 1 player, tied for eighth at the Massachusetts High School Championships last October and competed at the national high school tournament at Pinehurst in North Carolina.
This season they’ll add his younger brother, Riley Fowles, who has a long history of junior golf.
“They’re ultimate competitors. They could have a bad shot on one hole and they bounce back immediately,” Northampton coach Michael Chapdelaine did. “They can control their emotions and themselves. The two of them are silent leaders in the way they play, the way they carry themselves on the course. They can bounce back and put any negativity aside.”
The Blue Devils will also lean on senior co-captains Camille Richmond and Evan Yurko to keep the boat steady. Five of Northampton’s top eight players are underclassmen.
“They’re a tremendous help to me as a coach. They’re the conduit between me and the rest of the team,” Chapdelaine said. “Depth and consistency is important throughout the lineup in match play, as is being able to bounce back from bad holes when another point is available for each section of the course.”
YOUNG AMHERST TEAM MATURING — Two years ago Amherst Regional threatened for a team state tournament berth when Evan Rutherford claimed an individual title.
Though the team is still young, coach Carl Vigeland isn’t holding that against them.
“I’m expecting big things from them,” he said.
Piet Hartman and Chase Lashway return in the top two positions.
ATHLETES BRING OPTIONS TO BELCHEETOWN — After three years on the soccer team, Tyler McDonald decided to dust off his clubs. The former goalie is one of several athletes that decided to join the golf team this season and bolster the Orioles numbers.
“He’s an athlete. There isn’t anything he can’t do. We saw that last year on the basketball court. What a great addition to our squad. We’re deep but we’re deeper because of athletes from other sports,” Belchertown coach Matt Stenuis said.
Ben Scott is a middle school student already competing at the varsity level.
FAMILIAR FACES AT HOPKINS — Connor Asselin has played a half decade of varsity golf for the Golden Hawks, leading a squad of played who have been there before.
“A lot of experience when it comes to the golf season,” Hopkins Academy coach Mark Krodel said.