SOUTHWICK – After what seemed like an eternity – – a lost high school spring sports season and a summer of uncertainty due to the coronavirus – – two local golf teams finally waged an intense battle on a wet afternoon Tuesday at Edgewood Golf Course.
The Westfield Bombers emerged the victor 157-161 over the Southwick Rams with a gold-medal worthy effort from No. 2 golfer Anthony Schabowski, who slipped past local phenom Matthew Garrity, Southwick’s No. 1, with an electrifying effort.
Schabowski finished one stroke ahead of Garrity with a 2-under par 34. The savvy Southwick golfer’s 35 score was tops for his team.
Anthony Schabowski tees off for the Westfield Bombers. (CHRIS PUTZ/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
Schabowski got off to a fast start, earning an eagle on the 1st hole with a great drive. He drove the green on the 3rd hole and two-putted for a birdie, and later birdied on nine with a solid second shot to within two feet of the hole, easily draining the putt.
“(Anthony) outplayed me,” Garrity admitted. “I can’t be mad about that.”
Garrity was nearly equal to the task, also getting a birdie on three, as well as avoiding a single bogie on the day.
“No bogies is always a plus,” Garrity explained. “You never can really complain about all pars.”
The weather impacted the scores, and Garrity was not immune to the elements.
Rams’ No. 1 golfer Matthew Garrity finishes off his putt. (CHRIS PUTZ/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
“I wasn’t striking (the ball) as well (as I normally do) and the ball wasn’t flying as far … with the rain and wind,” said Garrity, also noting how the elements played into club selection, a chess match of sorts throughout the competition. “Overall, I thought I played pretty well with course management,” he said.
Joey Calderella (40), Andrew Florek (41), and Jeremy McCormick (42) all finish with scores in the low 40s to help propel Westfield (2-0) to the team victory. The Bombers were 10 strokes better than their opening match.
Southwick’s Andrew Morris recorded a 41, Jesse Johnson shot a 42, and Matt Coviello finished with a 43. The Rams fell to 0-1.
Loomis, Tigers top Saints
Westfield Technical Academy 188, St. Mary’s 191
Westfield Technical Academy dodged the raindrops and eluded St. Mary’s in the Tigers’ opener at East Mountain Country Club.
Hunter Loomis led the way, shooting a 42 for Westfield Tech. Tigers’ Riley Sullivan and Trent Adam finished with a 47 and 49, respectively. Teammates Nick Moran and Deven Werbiskis tied at 50.
Ryan Sweeney paved the way for St. Mary’s, recording a team-best 45. Saints’ Colin Freeman had a 47 and Sam Cusack, 48.
