By Ethan Guo, Managing Editor.
After a successful season last year, the River Hill Hawks men’s golf team returned this season with a new group of players and some familiar faces. The Hawks lost some critical pieces from last year’s team, a team mainly comprised of seniors, but they also gained an exceptional freshman, Lucas McGowan, who has already made an impact early in the season, shooting high points for the Hawks almost every time.
The Hawks started the season strong with a win over Long Reach on August 26th, defeating them 88–68. In high school golf, players earn points based on how they finish, with more points meaning a better performance. River Hill’s four players scored 25, 23, 23 and 17 points, combining for 88 points and a 20-point victory over Long Reach.
Junior Dhruv Kasargod said the team has adjusted well despite the changes from last season. “We lost some important players, but everyone has stepped up and helped the team compete,” Kasargod said. The team has also noticed more teammates spending extra time on the range, practicing longer and more frequently. The increased effort has helped the Hawks stay competitive and given the team confidence heading into the rest of the season.
On September 3rd, River Hill continued its successful start by defeating Glenelg 96–82. The Hawks finished with individual scores of 27, 25, 24, and 20. Their consistent scoring helped River Hill earn another important win.
Junior Aaryan Patel has also noticed the team’s improvement. “We have a good mix of experienced players and new players this year. Everyone is working hard and trying to improve,” Patel said. The combination of returning players and new talent has helped the Hawks stay competitive.
One of the biggest additions to the team is freshman Lucas McGowan. Despite being new to high school golf, McGowan has already shown that he can compete with older players. He has been shooting consistently good rounds and racking up points for the Hawks, giving River Hill another reliable player and adding depth to the team.
Senior Casey Moss believes the team can continue improving throughout the season. “We have a lot of potential this year, and if we keep working together, we can have a really good season,” Moss said.
With Senior Night approaching on September 30th, the team is also preparing for a special match. The night will feature seniors Aaron Kim, Casey Moss and Keeta Kompayak as they celebrate their final season with the Hawks.
For Kim, the night will be especially meaningful as he prepares to make his season debut in a match. He has been preparing for this moment for a long time, putting in hours on the course throughout the week and nearly every weekend. “I’ve been playing golf almost every day and definitely every weekend,” Kim said. His preparation has built up to this moment, and he will finally get the opportunity to compete alongside his teammates on Senior Night.
As the Hawks continue through the season, the team will look to build on its two early victories while preparing for the upcoming Senior Night match. With experienced players, new contributors, and an exciting freshman in McGowan, River Hill will look to continue its positive start and make the most of the rest of the season.