A month may have passed since the final putts dropped, but the impact of the Sharon Eagles golf season remains clear.
The Sharon Eagles Varsity Golf Team celebrated the end of another season, one filled with growth and memorable moments on the course. There was a lot to applaud, from individual development and Hockomock Player of the Week nominations to the team’s sportsmanship, which received recognition throughout the league. But the story of the season went far deeper than the leaderboard.
The Eagles showed determination at the Hockomock League Golf Championship on October 16th, finishing with a team score of 258. Strong rounds from seniors Nate Root (82) and Benjamin Hertzel (87), along with juniors Kuvum Suppal (89) and Sarah Scappaticci (95), kept Sharon competitive despite a tough season. Now, with the season a month behind them, the team has had time to reflect on the moments that truly shaped their year:
Coach Van Vaerenewyck praised the team’s character: “Although the team did not win much this year, they did stand out for their positive attitude and the way that they got along with members of the other teams. This was also recognized by the other golf coaches in the league, as they voted us as the winner of the Sportsmanship Award for the league.”
Suppal embraced the season as a chance to sharpen his game and elevate his confidence on the course. Even in a year light on wins, he found value in the grind, describing it as “a lot of lessons, a lot of memories made out in the course.” Suppal looks to next fall with excitement, seeing golf both as a stress reliever and a way to recharge with teammates.
Scapattici reflected on her development over three seasons with pride. She noted that watching her own improvement has fueled her momentum heading into senior year, adding that the mix of highs and lows is ultimately “what makes golf fun.” Her standout performance is Sharon’s win over Stoughton in early October, which earned her a nomination for Player of the Week.
Root, who discovered a genuine passion when he started the sport as a junior, encourages younger students to give golf a shot. “My mom wouldn’t let me play football, so I picked up golf junior year, and I ended up loving it. Everyone should give it a try,” said Root.
Senior captain Benny Hertzel ended his final season with a feeling of gratitude. He spoke about appreciating the program, the coaching, and even the simple privilege of playing on Sharon’s home course, calling his experience “a great time” from start to finish.
Fellow captain Shawn Fireman highlighted the lessons learned from the game itself: “From golf, I have really learned that life is full of ups and downs. You know, some days I have it, some days I don’t. You’ve just kind of got to work with what you have.”
One of the strongest themes of the season was growth. Coach Van Vaerenewyck emphasized the strides made across the roster, praising Chase Coffman for showing the biggest leap among returning starters. Varsity newcomers Griffin Weiner and Mason Silverman also emerged as breakout contributors, earning starting spots in most matches.
Sophomore Griffin Weiner admitted that his first varsity season came with its challenges, calling it a “tough season” filled with learning moments. But, he said, the experience left him motivated and hungry to return “better and stronger” next year.
With seniors Root, Hertzel, and Fireman graduating, the Eagles will turn a page and look to a rising core to steer the team forward. The lessons and leadership passed down by the seniors, combined with the steady growth of younger players, give the Eagles plenty of reason to be optimistic heading into next season.
