By Kim J. Harmon

SOUTHBURY – When Joe Ziemann knocked his second shot over the first green and under the fence at the Heritage Village Country Club and then, on the second hole, knocked his second shot onto the cart path, he sensed it was going to be a rather unlucky day.

And unlucky it was – somewhat.

The Newtown High School golf team opened the 2001 season on Monday in a tri-match with New Milford and Shepaug and – despite sophomore Mike Troy sharing the medalist honors with a 3-over 39 – came home with just a split.

The ‘Hawks fell to the Green Wave 169-176 while defeating the Trojans 169-186.

“What are you going to do,” said coach Jim Casagrande, “we’re still feeling each other out.”

Things got a little bit better, though, when the Nighthawks went down to Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course in Bridgeport and pinned a 167-190 loss on Notre Dame which served to bump the ‘Hawks’ record to 2-1 on the year.

In the opener on Monday, the ‘Hawks got rounds of 45 from Tom Ragusa and Nate Gaines and a round of 47 from Ziemann. Greg Korotash and Ben Moore both carded 43s for the ‘Hawks, but neither player was in the five-man rotation for the afternoon and, thus, neither score counted. Also, Taylor Gunn carded a 10-over 49, but his score was bumped from the total.

Crebs was the medalist for New Milford with a 39 while Merritt finished with a 42, Kasier with a 43, and Lord with a 45.

“Hopefully, our guys can turn it around pretty quickly,” said coach Casagrande just hours before the team traveled to Bridgeport.

And they did.

With brisk temperatures and the threat of rain and/or snow hounding them, the ‘Hawks turned in a pretty solid performance against the Lancers. Gunn, who struggled a bit the day before, came back and fired a 4-over 40 to earn the medalist honors at Fairchild Wheeler.

Ragusa, meanwhile, carded a 41 while Troy and Jared Nathanson both came in with rounds of 43.

Brett Belade led Notre Dame with an 8-over 44 and Steve Murphy added a 45. Van Alteri and Jim Stewart both came in over 50 for the Lancers.

The ‘Hawks have gone into this opening a man down in the rotation. Senior tri-captain Mark Werbeck is still hampered by a wrist injury and while his cast is due to come off soon, he said he will likely be back for the Weston match on Monday, April 30.

The ‘Hawks traveled to Grassy Hills in Milford to battle Jonathan Law on Thursday and next week will square off against Bethel (at Sunset Hills) and Foran (at the Newtown Country Club). Following that, the ‘Hawks will travel to Aspetuck Country Club for the big match against Weston.