Surging Clinton golf team upsets Oakmont - The Item - Worcester Telegram

BOLTON - The Clinton High School boys golf team qualified for the Central Mass. Division 3 tournament with a recent 27½-26½ victory over Bromfield in a Midland-Wachusett League D Division match at Twin Springs Golf Course.

On Tuesday, the Gaels upset previously undefeated and Mid-Wach C Division leading Oakmont, 29-25, at Twin Springs to notch their 10th victory of the season. It marks the first time in two years that the Spartans have lost a match.

"Last year, they (Oakmont) beat us convincingly at their place," Clinton coach Bob Bonci said. "They are a real good team and had most of their kids back from last year.

"Everyone contributed to the win, but our two, three and four golfers had outstanding days," he said. "It was a complete team effort. Yesterday was our day, and we did a nice job at home."

The district-bound Gaels are enjoying another solid season on the links, posting a 10-2 overall record and a 4-2 league mark.

As the season winds down, Bonci and his team are looking forward to the postseason and a possible league championship.

"We have everybody back from last year," said Bonci, who is in his 20th year at the helm. "We have been playing with young kids the last couple of years, but last year we qualified (for the Districts), too.

"I knew we had ability on the team, and this year it has paid off," he said. "We have three seniors on the team, and two of them are in the starting six."

The squad's captains are junior Ryan Marshall and senior Bobby Gibbons.

Marshall, one of the premier golfers in Central Mass., was the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) last season.

"Ryan (Marshall) is as close to a complete high school golfer as you can get," Bonci said. "As a sophomore, he was voted by the coaches as the MVP of our league.

"(As a team) we didn't have the best league record last year, but Ryan really stood out," he said. "He has missed out on going to the state tournament by one shot the last two years.

"He broke into the starting lineup as a seventh-grader, and was a medalist in his first high school match," he said. "He has been our number-one golfer since his freshman year and is a great teacher of the game. We've played 12 matches this year, and Ryan is 10-1-1."

Gibbons, whose brothers Christopher and Michael preceded him on the team, is the number-three or four golfer, depending on the opponent.

"Bobby (Gibbons) and his brothers have all been very successful and have done a great job for me," Bonci said. "Bobby is a dedicated golfer, who has really improved. In match play, he really grinds it out.

"He is a versatile player, and I have put him in different spots (in the lineup)," he said. "I can move him around to play anybody, and I know he'll do well."

Both Marshall and Gibbons are looking forward to the rest of the season.

"We had a solid start and have been consistently playing good golf," Marshall said. "We have tough competition, so we have to stay consistent."

"A couple of years ago we had a young team, but now the guys know the course and have more experience," Gibbons said. "We've been playing well."

The number-two golfer is junior Colin Small, while sophomore Brady Kallenberg is in the fourth spot, but has also played as high as two in the lineup.

"Colin (Small) was at Nashoba last year, but transferred here and has made a huge difference for us," Bonci said. "We are so glad to have him, because he knows the game and knows how to correct mistakes.

"Brady (Kallenberg) has come a long way, and he started for us in the eighth grade," he said. "He is an athlete and the type of kid where golf comes natural to him. He has a great golf swing."

Senior Matt Lowe plays in the fifth position, while sophomore Finn McNally rounds out the starting lineup.

"Matt Lowe started as an alternate as a freshman, but was quick to make the starting lineup," Bonci said. "He always gives everything he has for the team and has done a great job.

"Finn (McNally), like Brady, broke into the starting lineup as an eighth-grader," he said. "He really was key in beating Bromfield. He is a hard worker and loves to play the game."

The squad's other senior is Colby Armstrong, while Nate Pulnik is the other junior.

"Colby (Armstrong) came out as a beginner in his sophomore year," Bonci said. "He has stayed with it and, the more golf he plays, the better he gets. He has a good golf swing and has come a long way.

"Nate (Pulnik) has been in the starting lineup," he said. "Last year, he had some big matches for us, and he can hit the ball a ton."

Billy Johns, Danny Czermak and Patrick Moran are the team's other sophomores.

"Billy (Johns) didn't come out last year, but has had some good practice rounds and has a shot at breaking into the lineup," Bonci said. "Danny (Czermak) and Patrick (Moran) have also been on the team for three years.

"Like all the kids on the team, they are working on consistency, which comes with more practice," he said. "We are counting on all three of them for the future."

Freshman Colin Gates and eighth-grader Ryan Bailey complete the team.

"Colin (Gates) and Ryan (Bailey) are fairly new to golf, and wanted to be part of the team," Bonci said. "We are glad to have both of them. We've been working with them at the driving range, and they are definitely improving."

In addition to Clinton and Bromfield, the other teams in the league are Tyngsboro, Littleton and Lunenburg.

The league championship is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the International Golf Club, while the District championship is Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Blissful Meadows Golf Course.

The state championship will be held Monday, Oct. 28, at Black Swan Country Club in Georgetown.

2019-10-04 07:28:40Z
https://www.telegram.com/item/20191004/surging-clinton-golf-team-upsets-oakmont