Due to COVID-19, when the new school year began participation in all fall high school sports was put on pause. Fortunately schedules got back on track when the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) ruled high school sports could resume on September 19th.
The LHS Golf Program swung into action, when learning of the MIAA decision, allowing the twenty members of varsity and junior varsity teams to compete in 10 matches (a typical season consists of 16 matches).
Swinging their clubs for those 10 matches (and practices) allowed student-athletes to improve their golf skills, compete in a sport they love, reconnect with teammates and coaches and create memories to be retold in years to come, as was the case for LHS senior and varsity co-captain Evan Libby.
When asked to share a special memory from his four years on the LHS golf team Libby responded, “My favorite memory was my last match of my high school career against Chicopee Comp when our #8 (Zach Tatro) shot a score of 44 to help us win the match.”
“Myself and my partner Cam also birdied the last hole of our high school career,” added a proud Libby.
“The golf season was very successful for all student-athletes who participated this year,” reflected LHS 23 year varsity golf coach, Kurt Anderson. “We are very grateful and thankful that we were able to offer and program a competitive fall season during a global pandemic.”
Anderson also reported two very generous donations this year for team members; new uniforms (golf shirts and windshirts) from the Brett Williamson Foundation and sweatshirts from the local finance investment company, Serafino Moore Wealth Management at Raymond James.
The Brett Williamson Foundation honors the memory of 2007 Ludlow High School graduate Brett Williamson, who passed away in 2017 from cystic fibrosis. Brett was an avid golfer, playing on the LHS golf team for four years and being named captain his senior year.
LHS senior and varsity co-captain, Cam Smith, expressed his sincere appreciation for the Foundation’s donation.
“I was ecstatic to find out about the new uniforms,” said Smith. “They are comfortable and really nice. Definitely an upgrade from the old ones.”
“I would like to thank the Williamson family on behalf of the entire golf team for these nice uniforms,” added Smith.
“Serafino Moore Wealth Management at Raymond James welcomes the opportunity to sponsor local sports teams that have a connection to their employees,” explained Barbara Landry, Senior Registered Client Service Associate. “My daughter Brianna is a member of the Ludlow High School golf team which is why my company purchased the sweatshirts for the kids.”
“We all were very excited to receive the sweatshirts,” said Libby. “It was a nice surprise that we all appreciated very much.”
Although not the typical season, due to COVID-19 concerns, as the students-athletes put their clubs away, ending the 2020 golf season, there was an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation for all that did happen. You might even say, all considered, it was a Hole-in-One kind of season!
