Stoughton High Golfers Hope to Tee Off a Turnaround

Looking to improve from a winless season a year ago (0-17), the has a deep pool of players to help fuel a turnaround.

Stoughton returns 11 golfers, including nine who have match experience.

With 29 players trying out for the Black Knights, including 10 freshmen and nine sophomores, for the first time in the program’s history, Stoughton will feature a 14-player varsity team in addition to a 12-player practice squad. Members of the practice squad will have the opportunity for time and instruction in preparation to compete, which helps with the future of the program.

“It is so nice to see more people playing golf, especially at a younger age,” said head coach Kevin Smith. “It also is good to see the players trying out with more experience and starting the game earlier and playing all year. Even the professionals are getting younger and enjoying more success at an earlier age.”

The sport is now attracting very talented athletes from other sports as the participants begin to realize how tough physically and mentally golf can be.

“No longer do we get players just willing to play a round of golf, but instead players are dedicating themselves to work hard and are willing to improve their game all throughout the year,” Smith said.

Among the returning players are seniors Connor Heffernan and Marcus Baugh. Heffernan is a captain with three varsity letters and is a two-year starter who should be one of the top players on the team. Baugh has three varsity letters and is a three-year starter.

Other seniors include: Brian Carter, who is a captain with three varsity letters and is a one-year starter. Jamie Connors played his first season, last year, and was a pleasant surprise, playing in 13 matches as a junior.

Lily Lamplough and Tyler McCain will both be in their second year, but first as a member of the varsity squad.

Shamus Pitts has a varsity letter and will be in his second year, after playing in two matches, a year ago. Josh Rubenstein has two varsity letters and has showed tremendous improvement and should be a top player, this season.

The sophomore class will be well-represented with a quartet of golfers. David Elmowitz and Sam Werman will be in their second year and are expected to make big contributions to the team. Hunter Goodrich played in nine matches as a freshman a year ago, and is expected to be one of the top players.

Michael Milavec, also a sophomore, is a rising star. Milavec was the top player on last year’s team as a freshman and is considered the top-returning player. He finished 8th in the Hockomock League Championships, as a freshman, and has the potential to be one of the top players in the Hockomock League, this year.

Two freshmen were also selected for the varsity team—Peter Cariofiles and Drew Distefano, and both who have shown great potential.

Unfortunately, for the Black Knights’ turnaround efforts, they will be part of a very competitive Hockomock League that includes strong programs from Mansfield, Franklin (who has the state champion player on its roster) and Foxboro among other top teams in the state.

The schedule includes 17 matches that begin with the season-opener on Tuesday, September 6 at the Easton Country Club against Attleboro (weather-permitting). A match at Foxboro, the next day and at Oliver Ames on September 9 gives Stoughton very little time to prepare for a busy opening week.

“We have a very tough schedule against very good teams and it will be a big test for us,” Smith said. 

Stoughton will play its home matches at the Easton Country Club. A match consists of eight players per team, with two from each team matched up to form four foursomes. The match consists of nine holes with each team taking its four best scores, adding them up and then the team with the lower score takes the victory.

Smith has been guiding the Black Knights’ golfers for five years. He was a member of the golf team and graduated in 1997. He played at Assumption College and is an avid golfer, himself. He now teaches at Stoughton High School and is also an assistant hockey coach, as well.

Volunteer coaches Hugh MacDonnell and Walter Parshley assist Smith. They have helped with two fundraisers and golf clinics along with daily practices.

After losing several close matches last season, the Black Knights are committed to improving and are looking to turn the team’s fortunes around and have the team rise to the top echelon of the very competitive Hockomock League.