AMHERST — The Hampshire Regional golf team opened its season with a 151-180 win over Frontier Regional in Suburban League play at Cherry Hill Golf Course on Monday.
The Raiders (1-0, 1-0) got a 34 (-1) from Brayden Fennessy. The senior had three birdies and two bogeys on the nine-hole course.
“You can always clean up bogeys,” Fennessy said. “It’s part of golf. Better chips, better putts. A little bit of everything.”
Fennessy injured himself playing hockey last season and missed the golf postseason. He is not partaking in the winter sport this fall and has high expectations for the playoffs.
“It was kind of tough sitting on the sidelines,” Fennessy said. “I couldn’t help my team. I am trying to get my scoring average down to 34 and get under par every match. The goal is to win Western Mass. See how far I can go in states.”
Hampshire Regional finished 12-5 last season. The Raiders had a nice round collectively in the opener. Cole Boissonneault shot a 38 playing alongside Fennessey. Wes Adamski also shot a 38, with Declan Butler carding a 41 for the Raiders. It was Adamski’s first varsity match as a seventh grader.
“Everybody had some jitters at the start,” Hampshire coach Dan Korpita said. “But once we survived that first tee shot everyone settled in and played golf. Most of our crew has played here before. They know what to expect and Frontier is always tough. Everyone is working hard on every shot. Thinking their way through it.”
Addy Wood shot a 41 for the Redhawks. Wood was in the top-pairing with teammate Braiden Dion.
“It was good, I had some not-so-great shots,” Wood said. “I was glad I was able to pull it together. I was able to realize I was coming up to shallow with my gap wedge. Getting a little steeper made a big difference.”
Dion shot a 47 for the Redhawks. Christian Powell had the next best round after Wood, shooting a 45. Frontier put together a good week of practice at Cherry Hill, but the play dipped a bit with another team on the course.
“The pressure is a little higher when you are coming out for a match, obviously,” Dion said. “You don’t get do-overs. You have a lot more eyes watching your shot. You just have to take a deep breath and slow yourself down.”
Frontier has a younger roster outside of Wood and Dion. The hope is for improved play after the opening match against the Raiders. Frontier has four freshmen.
“I think they just have to get their confidence,” Frontier coach Dave Blanchette said. “Just play and stop thinking too much. They are thinking too much about their shot instead of just hitting the ball. They were nervous, first match against a good team.”
Frontier visits Turners Falls at Thomas Memorial on Tuesday.
Frontier’s Braiden Dion watches his putt on the seventh hole during the match against Hampshire at Cherry Hill Golf Course in Amherst on Monday. RYAN AMES/Staff Photo 
Hampshire’s Cole Boissonneault tees off on the first hole during the match against Frontier at Cherry Hill Golf Course in Amherst on Monday. RYAN AMES/Staff Photo
Belchertown 159, West Springfield 173 — The Orioles flew past the Terriers in their season-opening win at Cold Spring Country Club.
Belchertown’s Luke Heroux earned medalist honors, carding a two-under par, 34. Andrew Wright (36), Wesley Hill (44) and Sam Jolly (45) rounded out the Orioles’ scorers.
