NAUGATUCK — With the NVL championship right around the corner, the Naugatuck High golf team is focusing on the basics: hitting fairways from the tees and greens in regulation.
“That is exactly what it’s going to take to score well at the NVLs,” first-year head coach Bob Clark said.
The team has been playing 18 holes during weekend practices in anticipation of the NVL championship, which is June 4 at the Watertown Country Club, Clark said. The best golfers will represent Naugatuck at NVLs, he said.
The Greyhounds have taken great strides in league play as they prepare for the championship.
“We’ve improved so much from day one and we keep improving,” Clark said.
The Greyhounds put up their best score of the season May 20 in a 189-249 win over Wilby at Hop Brook Golf Course. Jake Alcorace was the medalist for the round with a 42. P.J. Murphy (45), Kody Butler (46) and Ethan Maxwell (56) rounded out the scoring for Naugatuck.
While the 189 was the season-best for Naugatuck, Clark said the better teams in the league shoot in the 150s and 160s. He added that the Greyhounds aren’t that far off, though.
If not for some three-putts versus Wilby, Clark said, Naugatuck could have shot in the 160s.
“The kids are starting to realize their potential, which is a very positive sign,” Clark said.
Putting did the Greyhounds in versus Wolcott on May 21 at Hop Brook. Naugatuck fell to the Eagles, 195-201. Clark said the six-stroke loss was a match the Greyhounds could have won, if not for some three-putts.
Alcorace was the medalist once again with a 43 against Wolcott.
Clark said Alcorace routinely shoots in the 30s during practice, but tends to put a little too much pressure on himself during matches. Clark said Alcorace is working on relaxing more in matches and the effort is starting to show in his scores.
Murphy (49), Butler (52) and Colin Sheedy (57) filled out the scorecard versus the Eagles.
Naugatuck fell to Watertown, 168-191, on Wednesday. Murphy led the way for the Greyhounds (4-9) with a 43, followed by Alcorace (44) Dan Martins (49) and Nick Fox (55).
Naugatuck was scheduled to face Torrington on Thursday. The results of the match weren’t reported as of this post.
The Greyhounds will finish the regular season Saturday on the road versus St. Paul before turning their attention to the NVL championship.
Clark said he is hoping his Greyhounds shock everybody by winning the NVL championship. But as long as the Greyhounds give it their all he won’t be disappointed, he added.
“As long as they give me everything they have and do the best they can that’s all a coach can ask for,” Clark said.
