Donovan West, Reporter
Boys golf finished a successful 2022 season by taking home third place in the CIAC championship, sending seniors James Casey, Cullen McCarthy, and Sean Watchmaker off on a positive note. In addition to success in states, the team finished the regular season with a 11-2-1 record, winning the FCIAC East Division, as well as placing second in FCIAC postseason play.
Coming into the season, the team knew it would be an uphill battle, losing key pieces of the last year’s team in Marc Degaetano, Sam Funk, and Taylor Pinkernell. Head Coach Bill Brown called those talented golfers, “Irreplaceable.” However, he acknowledged the leadership and growth of the senior class, as well as underclassmen like Patrick Saxe, contributing to the successful season the team had.
With two straight FCIAC championships under their belt, the team went to Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton on October 20. The Rams were going to face Greenwich who previously beat them by ten strokes in the regular season, so the FCIAC championship represented a chance for revenge.
Before the championship event, head coach Bill Brown expected the tough competition from Greenwich, saying, “We are going to have to play well, and they are going to have to play poorly for us to win.” However, despite a hard fought match, the team fell by two strokes; Greenwich 327, New Canaan 329.
Despite this, senior golfers Cullen McCarthy and Sean Watchmaker were recognized for their play all season long, with Sean making the All FCIAC second team and Cullen making the All FCIAC first team.
Trying to defend last year’s state championship win, the team traveled to Stanley Golf Course in New Britain on November 1. The championship was as close as it gets, with New Canaan shooting 299, Farmington 298 and Greenwich 297. It was the Rams second loss to Greenwich in a two week span, after the previous loss by two strokes in FCIACs. Despite the loss, Coach Brown called the season a major success with lots of improvement made from top to bottom on the team. This was shown in the CIAC championship as all New Canaan golfers shot sub-80.
Coach Brown said, “I’m proud of them for consistently working hard and staying focused throughout the great season.”
