Rookie Hillman Leads Mount Greylock in Season-Opener
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Seventh-grader Jacob Hillman carded a 5-over-par 41 on the front nine at Waubeeka Golf Links Monday to lead the Mount Greylock golf team to a 180-210, season-opening win over Taconic.
Hillman was steady all day with six pars in his nine holes.
The most impressive came on the 487-yard, par-5 eighth hole, where he dropped in a chip from about 60 feet away for a save that drew high fives from the Thunder.
"That was really fun," Hillman said. "It definitely helped out my score.
"I was just trying for the chip to get in a 5-foot area of the hole. I couldn't have wished for anything better than my shot there."
And new Mount Greylock coach Erik Tiele could not have hoped for a better score from his Mounties in the season opener.
"It's always nice to get the season off to a start with a 'W,' " Tiele said. "The funny thing is, I told these guys, the target score of four 45s for 180. And we were right on the numbers.
"A couple of good scores from a couple of young kids. A couple of scores higher than I would have anticipated. But, it's early in the season, and we'll get the juices flowing."
Junior Owen Petropulos carded a 44 playing with Hillman in the first group. Ben Dingman (47) and Tommy Art (48) rounded out Mount Greylock's scoring.
Dingman also registered the day's only birdie for either team, on the 194-yard, par-3 seventh.
"I hit a 6 iron off the tee," Dingman said. "There was a little breeze. I just played it center of the green, made my putt and that was about it."
Dingman said it was a 27-foot putt to give him the birdie.
Taconic's best round was turned in by Camdyn McKillop with a 48. He was backed up by Cam LaFerriere (51), Mat Sottile (53) and Jackson Molleur (58).
Taconic hosts Wahconah on Thursday. Mount Greylock hosts Wahconah on Friday.
Video: Mount Greylock’s Jacob Hillman talks about his par save Monday on the eighth hole at Waubeeka Golf Links as he led the Mounties to an opening-day win.