By Kim J. Harmon
By Kim J. Harmon
After getting off to an unexpectedly hot start â with four wins in their first four matches â the surprising Nighthawks have cooled off considerably with three consecutive losses.
The âHawks dropped matches to Bethel, Watertown and Weston and have seen their record dip to 4-3. And even with an expected easy match coming up against Kolbe-Cathedral of Bridgeport on Monday, the schedule continues to get tough with matches against Brookfield and Pomperaug to follow.
A tough situation, to say the least.
In a 162-177 loss to Bethel, Joe Ziemann carded a 42 to lead Newtown â but the Bobcats had two players come in lower than that, with Scott Nichols at 37 (medalist) and Chris OâConnor at 40. Another Bobcat, Brendan Spain, also finished at 42.
The Newtown Country Club course was a bit unkind to Newtown players who have scored well there in the past. Mike Rostafin finished at 44, with Adam Bagger following at 45 and Tom Ragusa at 46. The fifth man, Taylor Gunn went into the clubhouse at 47.
In a 178-188 loss to Watertown at Crestbrook Park, Mike Rostafin shared medalist honors with his 7-over-par 43. But after Ragusa finished at 44, the âHawks were a little shaky on the Crestbrook Park course, as Nate Gaines carded a 49 and Rich Mackay carded a 52. All four Watertown golfers shot 47 or better to win the match.
The âHawks returned to the Newtown Country Club on Tuesday and shot much better than they did against Bethel, but the problem here was the âHawks were going up against the undefeated Trojans of Weston. The result? A 162-169 loss.
Rostafin, who shot a 44 against Bethel at NCC, came back and shot a blistering 2-over-par 36 to earn medalist honors. Ziemann came in at 43, and Gunn and Mark Werbeck followed at 45.
Chris Voie led Weston with his 3-over-par 37. Evan Fensterstock carded a 40, with Chris Fuller following at 42 and Tyler Kupper coming in at 43.
Although they fully expect to halt the losing streak against Kolbe, Brookfield and Pomperaug represent two more tough obstacles on a road that has suddenly gotten real bumpy for the Nighthawks.