Drury Golfers Lined Up for Tourney

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Counting Thursday afternoon's date against Taconic at Berkshire Hills, the Drury High School golf team has four matches left this fall.
 

But the Blue Devils hope they have a lot more golf ahead of them than that.

Drury (9-2) qualified for the Western Massachusetts Division 2 tournament last week with its eighth win of the season, and it will use the remainder of the schedule to get ready for a run at the sectional title.

"I wouldn't say I was surprised [to qualify so early]," Drury coach Don Dagnoli said. "I knew we had a chance to do it. I was very pleased we did.

"Any time you have a winning record, it's good for the team and it shows how hard the players work, especially in the off-season. We're excited for the rest of the year and looking forward to the sectional tournament."

Last year at Stockbridge Golf Course, the Devils placed third in Western Mass with a team score of 365, just behind Palmer and Granby, who tied at 351.

Most of that Drury team returned this fall and has picked up where it left off.

"We've had some good scores this year," Dagnoli said. "Overall, we've improved our consistency in scoring throughout the lineup."

Dagnoli said the team has benefited from the temporary move to Stamford, Vt.'s, Stamford Valley Golf Course, a move necessitated by construction at Clarksburg's North Adams Country Club.

"Stamford Valley has been a tremendous asset for us," he said. "The kids are very familiar with it having grown up and played it. Part of the reason our scores are so low is that familiarity. That's been a huge help."

So has dedication during the summer months.

"Some of the team has competed over the summer and gotten familiar with some of the courses around the county," Dagnoli said.

Returner Matt Lawrence has been a consistent No. 1for Drury, leading the way about eight times this fall. Nick Bator generally has been the second player for the Devils but has jumped up to medal a few times. Nick Boulger and Alex Trombley -- also contributors on last year's Western Mass team -- continue to post strong scores, as have Doug Sigsbury and Joe Levanos.

"It's been a team effort," Dagnoli said. "In order to have success, you have to have scorers throughout the lineup. I'm really proud of the way the team has performed."

And as for the Oct. 21 sectional tournament at Amherst's Hickory Ridge Golf Club?

"I don't want to make a prediction," Dagnoli said. "I just hope we give ourselves a chance. Hopefully we'll be prepared for the tournament, and a little luck will be on our side and then anything can happen. In golf, it's how you play that day. Hopefully, everyone will have a good day that day."