By Chris Villani

The Blackstone Valley Tech golf team was able to get a sense of playing at the highest level last year, and now the Beavers are looking to return to the final tournament of the fall.

“Last year, we did something that I don’t think any golfing Beavers team has ever done by making it to the state finals and it would be really cool if we could get back through districts and back to the states,” head coach Craig Allen said.

Junior tri-captain Connor Griffin is the top golfer for the Beavers this fall. Photo Credit Craig Allen

BVT moved up to Division II this year, but Allen doesn’t think that tougher competition will affect his squad.

“Golf is golf, it’s you versus the course,” he said. “But, as a team, everyone has to play well.”

Valley Tech was able to get off to a hot start this fall, thanks in large part to four topplayers who Allen said have been setting the pace for the rest of the team. Junior Connor Griffin is averaging fewer than 36 strokes per nine-hole round and has solidified his spot as the number one golfer on the roster.

“He has been shooting lights out,” Allen said. “He medaled in the first five matches of the season. He has been our leader, and the other kids are following suit.”

Sophomore Charlie Leighton is the Beaver’s number two golfer and Santiago Hernandez has also earned a spot in the top three. A group of seniors — Andrew Savage, Benjamin Joseph, John McShane, and Lucas Brault — are all capable of scoring in any given match. 

“They are mixing in and picking up that last score we need each time out, they kind of take turns,” Allen said. “I am very lucky right now, my kids are playing very well.”

In addition to making a return to the state tournament, BVT is hoping to capture or share the Colonial Athletic League title, with Monty Tech the likely top competition. Allen also wants to see the Beavers play well at the state vocational tournament at Acushnet Valley Country Club.

“It’s a fun place to play, a beautiful course,” he said. “The guys who have been there really enjoy it. We want to represent ourselves really well at that tournament.”

If the Beavers continue to play well, Allen said they may be able to once again showcase their skills at states.

“Being able to get that test and tell the kids, ‘we finished 10th, but we got a taste for it. If you want to go back, you have to put in the work in the offseason,’” he said. “They have been doing that, and it’s been fun to watch the results."