By Kim J. Harmon

ORANGE – With a loss to Jonathan Law at Orange Hills Country Club last Thursday and a loss to Bethel at Sunset Hills, the Newtown High School golf team had dropped to 2-3 on the season and was badly in need of a win on Tuesday.

And the ‘Hawks got two of ‘em. Newtown defeated Foran 166-194 in a South-West Conference matchup and for good measure added on a win over New Fairfield (a new club-level team) in what is considered a non-conference match.

It was just what the ‘Hawks needed as they get set to hit Aspetuck Country Club on Monday, April 30, for a match against Weston.

But the week didn’t start out so hot as the ‘Hawks dropped a 170-184 decision to Law at Orange Hills. Although Mike Troy carded a 42 and Greg Korotash added a 44 in the first group off the team, they were a bit overmatched by Kevin Maurutis, who earned medalist honors with a 3-over 38 on 3,001-yard tract.

For the ‘Hawks, Taylor Gunn and Nate Gaines both finished with rounds of 11-over 49.

With that loss dropping them to 2-2, the ‘Hawks headed down to Sunset Hills in Bethel on Monday and met up with what could be the strongest team in the SWC – and came back on the heels of a 171-186 loss.

With guys like Chris O’Connor and Ryan Kelleher challenging par on the busy Bethel course, the ‘Hawks simply could not stay close. Tom Ragusa was low man for the ‘Hawks with a 45 and he was followed by Jared Nathanson with a 46, Mike Troy with a 47, and Nate Gaines with a 48.

They made up (a little) for it with their performance on Tuesday at the Newtown Country Club – their first appearance on their true home course this season (Heritage Village in Southbury also serves as a home course for the ‘Hawks).

The Newtown golfers usually score well at NCC and Tuesday was no different. But coach Jim Casagrande turned to Ben Moore and Mike Hayes to lead the troops. Moore carded a 38 and Hayes collowed with a 39 as the ‘Hawks crushed the Lions by 18 strokes. Troy added a 42 and Gunn finished with a 47.

The wins boosted Newtown to 4-3 overall, 3-3 in the SWC.

So, the Nighthawks will meet up with Weston on Monday and then travel to Redding to take on Joel Barlow on Tuesday. Two days later, the ‘Hawks will travel to Bridgeport to meet with the struggling Kolbe-Cathedral golf team at Fairchild Wheeler.