Springfield, August 28, 2025
News Summary
The Hopkins Academy Golden Hawks launched their golf season with a strong performance, defeating Turners Falls 175-194. Freshman Ryley Regan led the way with a standout score of 38, demonstrating the team’s potential for success in upcoming competitions. Other teams also marked their opening matches with impressive victories, highlighting the depth of talent in Western Massachusetts high school golf as they prepare for the fall championships.
Springfield — Hopkins Academy Golf Team Opens Season with Solid Victory Against Turners Falls
High school golf in Western Massachusetts swung into action Wednesday at Westover Golf Course, and the opening day served up a mix of steady play, promising newcomers, and a few early statements about which teams are primed to chase postseason hardware. The Hopkins Academy Golden Hawks walked off the course with a 175-194 win over Turners Falls to start the season 1-0, while a handful of other Division 1 squads also posted results that will matter come the fall Western Mass. championships.
Hopkins Academy Leads the Charge
Hopkins’ victory was built on a tight team effort and a standout round from freshman Ryley Regan, who captured medalist honors with the day’s low score, a crisp 38. Close behind was Aiden Keeling-Lococo with a rugged 39, while Chace Earle’s 46 and Jessica Waskiewicz’s 52 rounded out the scoring that counted toward the team total. Turners Falls had a lone bright spot in Ethan Eichorn, who finished as his team’s top scorer with a 42, the only player from Turners to break 45.
Other Early Winners and Notable Performances
At Cold Spring Country Club, Belchertown kicked things off with a 165-183 win over Chicopee Comp, a scoreline that underscores the returning program’s hunger after an 11-4 finish last season. Pope Francis also made a loud statement with a 147-178 victory over Northampton, a match that featured seven golfers shooting better than 40. Pope Francis’ Tanner Kmetz was the match medalist with a sharp 35, and Garrett Piemonte chipped in with an even-par 36.
Minnechaug downed South Hadley 152-173, paced by Ali Awkal’s team-leading 36. South Hadley’s Ryan MacGregor posted the team-low of 40, a solid individual effort in an early-season matchup.
Summer Work Showing Up Early
Coaches around the circuit noted that players who put in quality time over the summer are already reaping the benefits. Teams that focused on short-game practice, course management, and regular play look sharper in their shot-making and decision-making on the course. Several coaches emphasized a season-long plan: build endurance, tighten up the short game, and refine putting touch so the team peaks around the Western Mass. Division 1 Golf Championships in the fall.
What Coaches Are Focusing On
Coaches are balancing two themes: development and depth. Programs are pushing players to understand course management — when to play safe, when to go for it — and drilling putting under pressure, because tournaments are often decided on the greens. There’s also work on building team endurance; high school tournaments can demand concentration across 18 holes, and the squads with the deepest reps tend to sustain scoring into the latter holes.
New Programs, Returning Veterans
This season introduces some fresh faces to the region’s scoreboard. Smith Vocational launched a new golf program, adding depth and competition to the local scene. Northampton, meanwhile, is dealing with the usual mix of returners and new talent, looking for consistency that can translate to wins later in the season. Each program is staking early claims and chasing a common goal: qualify for states by getting through the Western Mass. qualifier in the fall.
Why Early Matches Matter
Early-season matches are about more than wins and losses. They’re test drives for lineups, a way to identify who can handle pressure, and a chance to see who will anchor scoring when championships roll around. Golfers who can manage the course, get up-and-down from around the green, and putt with confidence are the ones that change match outcomes.
Takeaway
The opening week delivered promising signs: Hopkins Academy’s balanced scoring and Regan’s freshman breakout; Pope Francis’ low team number and a handful of sub-40 rounds; Belchertown building on last year’s success; and individual standouts across the board. As teams continue to sharpen their games and pile up reps, attention will shift toward the fall, where the Western Mass. Division 1 Golf Championships determine who moves on to the state stage.
FAQ — Quick Answers for Fans
What was the final score between Hopkins Academy and Turners Falls?
The final team score was Hopkins Academy 175, Turners Falls 194.
Who shot the low round of the day?
Freshman Ryley Regan led the day with a medalist score of 38.
When is the Western Mass. Division 1 Golf Championships?
The Western Mass. Division 1 Golf Championships take place in the fall, with teams using the season to qualify for states.
Which teams had notable wins in the opening matches?
Besides Hopkins Academy, Belchertown, Pope Francis, and Minnechaug all notched early wins and posted low team totals.
What are coaches stressing this season?
Coaches are focusing on course management, putting, short-game work, and building endurance across 18 holes to peak at postseason play.
Quick Reference Table — Opening Match Results & Medalists
| Match / Venue | Winning Team & Score | Opponent & Score | Medalist / Top Scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopkins Academy vs Turners Falls — Westover GC | Hopkins Academy — 175 | Turners Falls — 194 | Ryley Regan (Hopkins) — 38; Aiden Keeling-Lococo — 39 |
| Belchertown vs Chicopee Comp — Cold Spring CC | Belchertown — 165 | Chicopee Comp — 183 | Belchertown team depth — several sub-45 rounds |
| Pope Francis vs Northampton | Pope Francis — 147 | Northampton — 178 | Tanner Kmetz — 35; Garrett Piemonte — 36 |
| Minnechaug vs South Hadley | Minnechaug — 152 | South Hadley — 173 | Ali Awkal (Minnechaug) — 36; Ryan MacGregor (South Hadley) — 40 |
This early-season snapshot gives golf fans a sense of trends to watch: freshmen making immediate impacts, the return of steady programs like Belchertown, and the growing importance of short game and course management as teams prepare for the stretch run toward the fall championships.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- GazetteNet: High School Golf Preview
- GazetteNet: Belchertown Edges Frontier
- GazetteNet: HS Roundup – Frontier Golf
- BBC Sport: Cricket Articles
- Golf Monthly: Boundary Lakes Review
- Wikipedia: Golf
- Google Search: Golf
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
- Google Scholar: Golf
- Google News: Golf
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
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