By Chris Villani

Milford High’s golf team competes in the Hockomock League, one of the toughest in the state. But head coach Jay Potty’s Scarlet Hawks have been right there in the mix with perennial powerhouses, showing the strength of a program that has been growing through the years.

“I feel like the program is in good shape, I know there are players coming up, so I am confident that this program is going to continue to thrive,” Potty said. “We have some nice senior leadership this year and three juniors who will be leaders next year, and they are all solid players.”

Jacob Hipolito studies a putt in a recent match. Courtesy photo

Senior captain Nate Lawrence is one of Milford’s most consistent players, shooting between 35 and 40 nearly every time he is out on the course. Anthony LaPierre is another senior captain who emerged as the top golfer in the MHS rotation.

“He drives the ball very well,” Potty said. “He is about 6-foot-5 or so, so he has a big, arcing swing and he hits it very long. He is good around the greens as well.”

The length in LaPierre’s game gives him a significant leg up at the team’s home course, the relatively short Hopedale Country Club.

Milford’s third captain, Jacob Hipolito, is a consistent tee-to-green player with a strong iron game.

“He hits a lot of greens,” Potty said. “He drives it well, but his iron play is what really helps him out.”

The coach speaks highly of his seniors and what they have brought to the team.

“They are really good leaders and really good players who started as eighth graders,” Potty said. “They couldn’t even play on varsity that first year because they weren’t in high school, but they started out on the JV and they’ve worked their way up.”

Juniors David Fleming, Zach Hipolito, and Robbie DeGesperis are adding depth to the Scarlet Hawks’ rotation. Potty said all three worked on their games considerably over the summer and have been consistent players. The results are showing on the golf course.

“We have had some of the lowest scores since I have been coaching, which is about 18 years now,” Potty said. 

Milford’s goal this season, as it is every year, is to get to the district tournament as a team.

“There are no power rankings in golf, we need to get to .500 and, in this league, it’s tough,” Potty said. “But I feel like we have the weapons to do it.”