By Kim J. Harmon

Through the first three matches of the 2003 season, the Newtown High School golf team was pretty sharp.

But it wasn’t sharp on Monday against Stratford and it wasn’t sharp on Tuesday against Masuk and while the Nighthawks could afford to play poorly against Stratford, a similar effort was not good enough against Masuk.

With Cliff Smith carding a medallist round of 39 at Whitney Farms Golf Club, Masuk defeated Newtown 176-188 to drop the ‘Hawks to 4-1. Mike Troy had a solid 40 to spark the ‘Hawks, but Ben Moore (49), Andrew Fiscella (49) and Greg Korotash (51) all struggled.

A day before, the scores – which had been good – took a disturbing jump at Heritage Village Country Club in Southbury, but the ‘Hawks were still able to defeat Stratford 175-209. Troy earned medallist honors with a 42 while Fiscella and Moore followed with rounds of 43. Korotash took up the rear with a round of 47.

Last week, the ‘Hawks pounded Bethel, 165-194, at the Newtown Country Club. Troy was medallist with a 4-over 38. Fiscella carded a 6-over 40 while Korotash finished with a 7-over 41 and Moore shot a 12-over 46.

Newtown traveled to Grassy Hill on Thursday to take on Foran and will visit Pomperaug on Monday, May 5, at Heritage Village. The following day will be a visit to Richter Park to take on Immaculate (while the junior varsity team is slated to take on Bunnell and Pomperaug at Heritage Village).