On a day when most other local sporting events were rained out, the Bristol Central and Bristol Eastern golf teams met at a cloudy Pequabuck Golf Club.
The Rams and Lancers are city rivals, but it’s not with the same vigor on the links.
“It’s a different type of rivalry,” Central coach Tim Barrette explained after his team’s 190-216 win over Eastern. “I’ll tell you this, both teams have good kids that are a pleasure to be around.”
It’s not always easy with stalwarts like Newington and Wethersfield competing in the same restructured division. Those schools have golf pedigrees.
It’s been especially challenging for Eastern and coach Greg Boulanger. The Lancers have just a single senior on their roster, Alex Schaffrick, and it shows. Eastern has posted a single win thus far this season.
Central’s roster is a mix of youth and veteran leadership. Players like senior Zach Aldieri and junior Cameron Reed have been around the course before.
“Zach Aldieri and Cameron Reed have been the most consistent players,” Barrette said. “They’ve been around 41-45 all year.”
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| Bristol Central senior captain Zach Aldieri hits his approach to the green at hole No. 9 during Monday’s match against Bristol Eastern. Aldieri was the medalist with a 43. |
True to Barrette’s words, Aldieri was the medalist with an 8-over-par 43 and Reed, who has also been a medalist this season, was right behind him with a 45. Senior Isaac Talbot had a 50, and everyone else was over that mark for the Rams.
Eastern was led by Schaffrick’s 48. Everyone else was in the 50s on a tough day.
Central has been able to scratch together five wins this season, thanks to hard work and leadership from captains Aldieri, Reed and Talbot.
“These kids come to practice, they work hard, and they’re a pleasure to be around,” Barrette said.
Others like Trevor O’Neil, another senior, picked up clubs competitively for the first time in high school this season. O’Neil’s 52 wasn’t bad for a first-year golfer, and Barrette wishes O’Neil had played earlier. The 52 put O’Neil in the final spot in the top four for the Rams.
Eastern filled out its lineup with sophomore Alexandra McMahon, the lone girl in the lineup for either side. McMahon’s 59 was two shots off of brother Brendan McMahon for the final slot in the top four for the Lancers. C.J. Bleau had a 56 for Eastern.
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| Golfers from Bristol Central and Bristol Eastern shake hands following their rounds on Monday. |
A busy week continues tomorrow for both squads. Central travels to Hawks Landing tomorrow for a match against Southington, then hosts division foe Wethersfield on Wednesday. Thursday brings the Woodland Invitational at Oxford Greens.
For Bristol Eastern, it’s New Britain away tomorrow at Stanley Golf Course, followed by New Britain and SMSA at Chippanee Country Club on Thursday.
