BELCHERTOWN — The high school golf season is here, and the Belchertown Orioles are primed with a mix of veteran talent and young promise as they hope to compete for a Western Massachusetts Division 2 title later this fall. A year ago, Belchertown played in the Division 1 tournament. That won’t be the case this time around as it got bumped down to D2.
With six seniors on the team and four returning starters, the Orioles have what it takes to be one of the top teams in the area once again.
Michael Murray leads the way as one of the best players in the area, while Collin Laragy, Nathan Fink and Ryan Shea bring experience to the table that should help head coach Matt Stenuis when putting together the lineup in 2025. On top of those four seniors, several others have exceeded expectations early into the year.
First-year players Andrew Wright and William Mitus (both juniors) shot in the low 40s the first match of the season, while freshmen Wesley Hill and Luke Heroux (both Junior PGA competitors) are well above their age when it comes to skill level.
Stenuis said he has about 11 players he feels comfortable plugging into his lineup already.
“I’ve got four guys that have shocked me so far, which is great,” Stenuis said. “I’ve got two juniors that came out for the first time and they’ve been good, and I’ve got two freshmen that by the time they’re seniors, they are going to be phenoms. Those are Luke Heroux and Wesley Hill. My biggest challenge is going to be that I can only play eight and I’ve got 11 that could play any time.”
After many years as an underclassman, Murray is now a senior and the undisputed leader of the group. Stenuis said Murray’s impact on the Belchertown program has been evident.
He’ll have one more go at high school golf before bidding adieu to an exceptional career.
“Whether we make it as a team to Western Mass. or not, I got him winning it and finishing top five in the state tournament,” Stenuis said of Murray. “He keeps moving forward. His game was good last year, and it’s even better this year. He’s somebody — he practices more than anybody I know. I don’t have to do a whole lot of coaching with him. He just goes out there and executes.”
Belchertown is 2-0 to start the year and will next travel to Frontier for a Tuesday match with the Redhawks at Cherry Hill Golf Course.
Northampton
For the first time in five years, the Blue Devils will not have a Fowles on their golf team. Galen Fowles graduated in 2024 and Reilly Fowles graduated last spring after helping Northampton to a 16-0 record two years ago.
Seniors Reed O’Connor and Xavier Nteta are the eldest of the bunch, while junior Eli Reid returns looking to provide some stability to the Northampton lineup. Chandler Brill takes over for Bob Boulrice as head coach and will look to continue the Blue Devils’ winning ways.
Northampton is 0-2 to start the season but there is plenty of matches ahead to turn things around.
Amherst
Carl Vigeland is back for a 10th season as head coach of the Hurricanes, and he’s “looking for a jumpstart after a disappointing last season,” in his words. He’s got two terrific captains in Ben Scott and Owen Howard to help lead that jumpstart, as well as two assistant coaches (Bonnie Catto and Jim McDonald) who are back for their third seasons apiece.
Juniors Phineas Pyecroft and Graham Van Giessen are capable contributors as is Gavin Duncan. Amherst has a sturdy top of its lineup, but now it’s all about finding some depth as the regular season jumps into full swing following Labor Day.
Hopkins
Head coach Joe Whalen said his expectations for the season are for his Golden Hawks group to have a team average of 40 to 42, and based on some of the players he has on his roster, that’s an attainable goal.
Freshman Ryley Regan spent her summer tearing up the Mass Golf scene, playing in events all over the state and having great success. She’s joined by senior Chace Earle, who Whalen has high hopes for. Aiden Keeling-Lococo comes over from Northampton and has improved his game while senior Carter Styspeck steps into a contributing role.
Hopkins should be competitive in the Bi-County League East this fall.
Easthampton
Playing out of Wyckoff Country Club, the Eagles return a ton of talent but also welcome some new faces that are expected to make an impact according to head coach Chris Abild, who is now in year three.
Sophomore Amelia Gruber will continue to be Easthampton’s top golfer as she’s been in the past, however young golfers like Evan Kalin, Kaden Cormier and Maeve Loring are names to watch as Easthampton’s contributors.
Easthampton certainly has the numbers to turn its program around in the coming years with 17 players on its roster, and none of them being seniors.
South Hadley
The Tigers finished fourth in the Western Massachusetts Division 2 tournament last year, and after posting a 16-2 regular season mark in 2024, they’re ready to dominate their slate again this fall. Head coach Jason Bourque is in his fifth year coaching South Hadley and has high hopes for this year’s group.
Now in a new league with loads of talent and depth from top to bottom, the Tigers have their work cut out for them.
“We want to hold our own and continue our streak of qualifying for Western Mass.,” Borque said. “We have four seniors and are down three starters from last year, so we are hoping for a reload year rather than a rebuilding year.”
Ryan MacGregor will help with that, as the senior has proven himself to be one of the top plays in the region. Caiden Drohan and Ryley McMahon are two more key players and senior Luke Guiel has his game in a great spot heading into his senior campaign.
Frontier
The Redhawks were the co-champs of the Suburban League last year but now will have to compete in a remade Suburban League along with Amherst, Chicopee Comp, Belchertown, Hampshire, West Springfield, Ludlow and Southwick this fall in what should be a competitive division.
Frontier took sixth at the Western Mass. Div. 2 championship last fall but must replace Ryan Cetto, Cam Skiffington and Porter Hall at the top of the lineup.
Cornelison is the lone senior and will be making a move up the lineup while Addy Wood, Brady Wood and Powell are fellow returners to the lineup and are golfers Blanchette will rely on.
Hampshire
The Raiders may not have any seniors on the team in 2025, but they certainly don’t lack any depth with 21 golfers rostered for head coach Dan Korpita. After a stellar 18-2 regular season record in 2024, Hampshire placed fifth in the Western Massachusetts Division 2 tournament to round out a very strong fall.
Juniors Brayden Fennessy, Riley Florek and Cole Boissonneault return to help lead the Raiders to similar success this season in what is Korpita’s 14th season at the helm of Hampshire.
Through two matches this year, the Raiders are already 2-0 and have had several players shoot below 40. They could be in for another campaign filled with wins.
Smith Vocational
Now in their second season as a varsity program, the Vikings are ready to take the next step in 2025. Smith Vocational went 5-5 under Nate Bergeron last fall and return a bulk of production this time around.
Dom Crouchier, James Lavallee, Pat Millin and Pat Gougeon all graduated, but eight others are coming back to round out the Smith Voc squad.
