The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Golf team already has a win against Suffield Academy and a championship to its credit this season.
That's pretty good, especially considering the team didn't win a match last season and it isn't even May yet.
Led by Peter Bowie '18, WMA captured the inaugural Suffield Academy Prep Invitational at Suffield Country Club April 26, topping the field of 10 teams.
"I keep saying the same thing, which is every time we have an accomplishment or milestone it's a pleasant surprise," Coach Doug Hutcheson said. "This was more than a pleasant surprise – this was fantastic.
"The guys were extremely excited and so happy to carry the team victory plaque home on the bus with us. I'm very happy for them, especially since last year we did not win a match during the regular season. To have this level of success is pretty shocking, but we all now realize we have a deep team with a lot of good chemistry."
WMA won the match by seven strokes, finishing with a four-player score of 314. Following Peter's 3-over-par 75 were Kenneth Harroy '17 (79), Eddie Morin '18 (79) and Jack Godin '20 (81).
"It was big for us," Peter added. "Last year we didn't have the best record so something like this shows improvement. We beat Williston and they haven't lost yet this year, so that was big. And we beat Suffield on their home course so it was a big win for us."
And it was a big win for Peter, who earned medalist honors in the group of 50 golfers.
"Peter has been consistent but he's felt frustrated all year," Coach Hutcheson explained. "Actually, he struggled on the front nine with a 41. But we talked about staying patient because it was going to be a long round. There were a lot of players, the course was very wet and the grass was deep off the fairway. Peter stayed patient and finally had that breakout nine holes, where he shot 2 under par to win the tournament by one stroke. It finally clicked for him on the back nine of the event."
Peter, playing in the #1 spot, shook off his sluggish start by being more aggressive on the final nine holes.
"Winning was nice," he said. "I didn't think I was going to win after the front nine but when I started playing well on the back I knew I had a chance and kept going. It was nice to get the win."