Lenox Repeats as Western Mass Champions
WILBRAHAM, Mass. -- The best Division 3 golf team in Western Massachusetts in 2021 is also the best Division 3 golf team in Western Massachusetts in 2022.
It just has some new faces leading the way.
"Last year, we had Max [Digrigoli] and Ben [Haddad], and they were a huge help," Lenox's Devan Patel said. "We were a little skeptical this year, because they were huge for us.
"But it's great to win. We have three seniors, so it's great to end on that."
Of course, it is not quite the end for the Millionaires or the Mounties of Mount Greylock, who placed second on Monday at the Country Club of Wilbraham. Both teams move on to reprsent Western Mass in next week's state championship.
Patel anchored Lenox in its effort to repeat, carding an 8-over-par round of 80 that was the best among the Berkshire County contingent.
Franklin Tech's Brady Booska took individual medalist honors with a 78 on the soggy layout. In doing so, he maintained a family legacy; his older brother owns the course record of 64 at the Springfield area club.
Booska's individual win on Monday allowed Franklin Tech to place third with a team score of 358 and claim the final qualifying spot for the state tourney.
Mount Greylock finished comfortably in second place with a 354, moving up one place from a year ago.
Like the Millionaires, the Mounties look a little different this time around.
"Improving on our place from last year is really important," Mount Greylock's Thomas Art said. "We graduated ree seniors, and we don't have any seniors this year. So we could do it again next year."
Art said he was happy with his score, which he called one of his better outings for 18 holes.
"I had three doubles and a triple, which kind of got in the way," he said. "But I had three birdies, which really helped."
Art, who started on No. 4, birdied par 4s on the 7th and 9th holes and beat par on the par-5 18th.
"My birdie on 18 was big, because I'd counted it up, and I needed to be 1-over on the last five holes ... to break 80," he said. "That birdie really helped."
Art stuck his approach shot from 128 yards out to within about 5 feet of the pin to birdie the hole.
Lenox's Patel, who also started on the fourth hole, gained some momentum early in his round.
"I started off pretty well," he said. "I was even through six with two birdies and two bogeys. I had a couple of bad holes [after that], but mostly I was coasting the whole time."
Max Shepardson, Clifford Flynn and Hunter Shepardson rounded out the scoring for Lenox.
Mount Greylock's Art was backed up by Ben Dingman, Jacob Hillman and Owen Petropulos.
McCann Tech also qualified for the sectional championship based on its performance in the regular season.
The Division 3 State Champioship is set for Oct. 25 at the Ledges Golf Club in Hadley.
Team Scores
1. Lenox, 340
2. Mount Greylock, 354
t-3. Franklin Tech, 358
t-3. Monty Tech, 358
5. Quaboag, 359
6. Pioneer, 369
7. Westfield Tech, 383
8. Turners Falls, 395
9. Mohawk Trail, 399
10. McCann Tech, 448
Local Finishers
Lenox (340)
Devan Patel, 80
Max Shepardson, 83
Clifford Flynn, 86
Hunter Shepardson, 91
Noah Kirby, 92
Brady Digrigoli 94
Mount Greylock (354)
Thomas Art, 82
Benjamin Dingman, 87
Jacob Hillman, 91
Owen Petropulos, 94
Will Svrluga, 97
Max Wied, 118
McCann Tech
Nolan Booth, 105
Keeghan Scott, 113
John Stack, 114
Mason Rondeau, 116
Tim Kupiec, 122
Eli Gagne, 128