BELLINGHAM — The terrain was unforgiving. One mistake during a swing could be the difference.
Nothing was going to deter Walpole’s girls golf team from making history Tuesday, however.
Junior captain Tori Adams shot an 84 (12-over-par), while Juliet Massey finished with a 91 as the Timberwolves captured their second straight South Sectional title at Maplegate Country Club.
“I’m just very happy and grateful,” said second-year Walpole coach Vivian Kolovos. “They’re a great group of girls. They pulled it together today for the win, which is exciting.”
The MIAA had used an array of unique courses for its sectional tournaments in past years. For a second straight spring, it chose Maplegate for South Sectionals. Maplegate at one point had been slated to be demolished for a solar energy site. Due to prolonged discussions on that front, the Bellingham club has since opened its doors to the public in an abbreviated capacity again, and did so for the state’s premier high school golfers Tuesday.
The hills were tricky, with hidden obstacles littered left and right. Adams and her teammates navigated them with precision, maintaining a solid lead over the field throughout. Walpole was also led by Gretchen Connelly, who shot a 97. Deanna Nosal fired a 99 for the Timberwolves, who ended up winning the tournament with a combined score of 83-over-par, 18 strokes better than runner-up Barnstable.
“We had a practice round here,” said Adams. “We knew what to look out for, what to avoid. Obviously, the bunkers were filled with water, don’t get in those. The greens were tough. Some holes were different. Some holes were really nice, some holes weren’t. But you can’t change that. You’ve just got to play your best, and work around it. We did that today, and we came out with the win.”
The individual championship came down to the first group out on the course, with two athletes keeping pace with each other all morning.
Bishop Feehan junior Hanley Correia was able to keep her outstanding career going, as she staved off a charge from Hingham’s Callie Crean to place first by shooting a 74 (two-over-par). It was the second South Sectional medalist honor for Correia.
She birdied holes No. 10 and 14 as her day wore on. Tied for the lead on No. 16 (a par 5), Correia took a conservative approach, knowing its hazards. It paid off as she avoided any trouble, and sank a putt for par to seize the lead for good.
After finishing her round, Correia left the course to finish some schoolwork at a nearby coffee shop. She returned a few hours later with the medalist honor essentially locked up. The junior won the showcase by two strokes.
“I played a lot better today,” said Correia. “I think my back nine really helped. I was three-over on the front, one-under on the back. I’m glad that I was able to battle back, and grind it out.”
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