Prior to the biggest outing of the season, Wilbraham & Monson Academy Golf Coach Doug Hutcheson thought his team had a chance to have one of its better showings at the annual end-of-the-year invitational.
Coach Hutcheson got more than a good showing from his Titans – a lot more.
In what the tournament director called "one of the lowest team scores in tournament history," WMA topped a field of 23 teams to win the Kingswood Invitational Tournament at Oak Ridge Golf Course in Agawam, Mass., May 23.
WMA finished with a 378, routing the field by 14 strokes. Previously undefeated Deerfield Academy was second with a 392, followed by Avon Old Farms with a 394.
"It was shocking," Coach Hutcheson admitted. "It was a shocking win. We were capable of this, but at no time during the season did we show this. We had one good nine-hole score of 200 the last match, which translates into a 400 total. A 378 is out of nowhere.
"It's hard to believe that it happened. Previously, our best finish at the KIT was a tie for ninth and total of 415. Today, I was thinking we had a chance to beat some school records. I never even thought of winning the whole thing - never thought about it. And if the guys thought of it they were more in fantasyland than reality.
All five Titans shot better than their average, led by Peter Bowie's '18 score of 3-over-par 73, which tied him for fourth. The player who shifted the championship in WMA's favor was Carlos Garcia Bodini '19, whose 74 was 16 strokes better than his average. Eddie Morin '18 also shot a 74, followed by Spencer Hemingway '21 (77) and Jack Godin '20 (78).
WMA was the only team to have every player finish with a round in the 70s in the field of 115 golfers.
"I'm extremely proud of them," Coach Hutcheson said. "It's a wonderful moment for them. Eddie and Peter are very happy to finish their careers like this. It's wonderful."
WMA finished three strokes off the KIT team record of 375.