Westwood Golf Team Falls to Norton

Norton Senior captain Zach Schuster birdied the ninth and final hole, earning medalist honors with a 1-over par round of 37 to help lead the Norton High golf team to its second victory in as many days, 250-254 over in a Tri-Valley League match on Tuesday afternoon at the TPC Boston course in Norton.

Following a 221-272 victory in Bellingham on Monday, the Lancers made it two straight with the win over the previously-undefeated Wolverines, improving to 3-1 overall and in the league. Westwood dropped to 4-1 overall and in the TVL with the loss on Tuesday.

“To get a win in this league is always good, but to beat a team like Westwood makes it that much more special,” said Norton head coach Ryan Riley.

Following Schuster’s medalist round of 37, junior Evan Ryan fired a 4-over par round of 40 for the Lancers, while senior Mike Adler had a 5-over 41. Senior Ryan Consentino shot a 6-over par round of 42.

With rounds of 9-over par 45 was senior captain Max Cantin as well as senior P.J. Levesque and sophomore Nick Mattos. Senior Joe DiLorenzo rounded out the top eight with a 10-over par round of 46.

Westwood had three players shoot 4-over par rounds of 40, including juniors Eric Burgess, Adam Sawyer and Patrick Frodigh. Junior C.J. Hunter had a 7-over 43, while freshman Dan Howard finished with a 9-over par 45.

Josh Belinsky, also a junior, had a 10-over par round of 46 as did sophomore Ned Kelly. Sophomore Dan Young rounded out the top eight for the Wolverines with a 13-over par round of 49 at TPC Boston.

Prior to Tuesday’s victory, Norton had also played very well as a team on Monday afternoon as seven Lancers finished with sub-40 rounds as the Lancers knocked off the Blackhawks at Bungay Brook Golf Course in Bellingham.

Schuster led the Lancers, collecting two birdies on the way to a 1-under par round of 35, which was good for medalist honors.

Mattos and Levesque each fired even-par rounds of 36 with Ryan shooting a 1-over 37. Adler shot a 2-over par round of 38 with Consentino and DiLorenzo completing the top seven with 3-over par rounds of 39.

“The kids played fantastic yesterday (Monday),” said Riley. “That built the momentum for today (Tuesday). The kids did not play as well today, but they took advantage of a team that does not get to play the course at TPC too often.”

It will not get easier for the Lancers on Wednesday, though. Playing its third match in as many days, Norton will travel to Ponkapoag Golf Club in Canton to face the defending league champion Warriors of Medfield. The Warriors improved to 7-0 with a 249-279 victory over Millis in a league match on Monday afternoon at Ponkapoag Golf Club.

“The kids are on a roll right now, having won two in a row,” said Riley. “But Medfield is the defending league champion and did not lose a lot from last year. They will be tough, but our kids have seen that course multiple times, which is important.”

Westwood will be looking to bounce back when the team hosts a talented Dover-Sherborn squad on Wednesday afternoon at Norfolk Country Club.