By Dylan Thompson, The Berkshire Eagle
PITTSFIELD — Monday was a day filled with firsts for both the Lenox and Pittsfield golf teams. For Pittsfield, not only was it the first day of school for students, but it was also the golf team’s first match in the Generals' purple since the 2019-20 school year.
However, on Opening Day for the high school golf season, Lenox and golfer Katie Shove were happily celebrating firsts of their own. For Shove, in her first time playing at the Country Club of Pittsfield, she shot a 9-over par 44, good enough for medalist honors.
“It’s always nice to get out for the first match,” Shove said. “Playing golf is one of my favorite sports. To come out here and get out is awesome.”
On Monday afternoon, Shove’s strong day helped power the Millionaires to a 184-202 victory over the hosts. Oliver Kirby also had a strong day for Lenox, finishing with an 10-over par 45. Both schools played the front nine in a round that lasted roughly three hours.
The match was one of many in the Berkshires on Monday as the county is back up to 10 teams with the separation of what had been a six-year co-op between Taconic and Pittsfield High. It was the 2019-20 school year when Pittsfield High last had its own golf team.
“It’s great,” PHS golf alum and new head coach Adam Brickle said. “It’s a little bit nostalgic, to be honest. It kind of brings me back to when I learned the game. This is where I started my journey, so it’s really kind of a full circle thing for me.
“Lot to work on obviously. A lot of guys that are new to the game, which is cool. It’s exciting… I’m glad to be back here.”
ollowing the match, Lenox head coach Brian Shepardson said that he’s glad that Pittsfield is back in the league, that Brickle is a great coach, and he looks forward to seeing them in the future.
Lenox’s top four finishers all shot below 50 and were all close together. Shove and Kirby, who finished with the two best scores, were not in the first group for the Millionaires, as Shove was in the second and Kirby was in the third.
“It was pretty good,” Shove said of her day. “My short game was a little bit rough, but we got it down… I got a few [pars]. They were rare today, but it’s OK.”
Mia Freeman and Edmund Pritchard finished third and fourth, respectively, for Lenox. Freeman shot a 47 and Pritchard shot a 48.
Pittsfield was led by Sam Gyurjan, who shot a 12-over par 47. Gyurjan’s playing partner in the Generals' first group, Jason Fields, shot a 14-over par 49. Fields was the Taconic co-op's top scorer at last year's Western Massachusetts Division I tournament.
Rounding out the top four for Pittsfield was Jack Bellefontaine, who shot a 52, and Matt Keegan, who was close behind with a 54.
Pittsfield will be home again for its next match on Wednesday against Mount Greylock. The Generals will then head to Wyantenuck Country Club on Friday for a tri-meet against Mount Everett and Monument Mountain.
Lenox will be back in action on Thursday at home against Taconic.
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