The HHS Golf Team had very high expectations this season. They came off a disappointing season last year, ending in no TVL championship and elimination from the first round of States.

Nevertheless, this year’s team was returning some major talent. Most of last year’s top players returned this year, including sophomore Captain Matt Epstein who is one of the best in his age group in Massachusetts. Senior Captains Ben Scire and Tom Leone are both very strong leaders and great players in their own right.

“This is one of the most talented teams I have had in years with exceptional depth,” HHS Golf Coach Dick Bliss said, “We have 14 different varsity players who could start for us every match.”

The season started out just like everyone expected it to do. The team was undefeated after 4 matches and players were in peak condition. Then Hopkinton’s match against Norton happened. The Hillers went into the match undefeated and unfortunately left with their first loss, by 13 strokes no less. This loss propelled the Hillers to a 6 match skid where they lost 2 matches. Not a usual occurrence for a team like the Hillers. Word around the league was that there was no way the Hillers could win the TVL. The Hillers themselves did not believe it was possible either.

That was until the last 5 matches of the season, including two very important matches against TVL leader and last years TVL and State champions, Westwood.

The first match against Westwood was nothing short of legendary. It was a tight match from the beginning and it seemed like everyone knew it was going to come down to the last match. With the win on the line on the last hole, Captain Scire sunk a 40 ft putt, securing a Hillers victory.

“Ben is arguably the heart and soul of our team and the fact that he could be that clutch doesn’t surprise me at all,” said fellow senior captain Tom Leone. This exhilarating win brought the Hillers 4 wins in the last 4 matches with just one left… against Westwood. Little did the Hillers know that if they won this match the TVL would be theirs.

Coach Dick Bliss decided against telling his players how much this match really mattered and that certainly seemed like the right decision. Hopkinton annihilated Westwood by over 10 strokes for an easy win and a hard-fought TVL championship.

“This team never gave up on our journey to the TVL championship and now all that’s left is winning the States,” said Captain Scire.