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05/31/2018 12:00 AMThe game of golf is often a battle between a player and the course. Matt Doyle is embracing the challenge of the sport, along with the support of his teammates, and he’s having an excellent rookie season for the Hand boys’ golf squad.
Matt, a freshman, has been holding down the No. 1 spot in Hand’s lineup in his first year with the team. He’s played well throughout the season and recently earned medalist honors as the low scorer in a meet three times in a week for the Tigers, who have a record of 13-4.
“The past couple of weeks, I was going between different swings my coaches have been teaching me,” says Matt, who has either medaled or co-medaled six times this year. “My short game has helped me the most. I’ve had times that I’ve two-putted from 50 feet, and that’s saved me.”
Last month, Matt was the medalist when he totaled a round of 33 versus Cheshire. He repeated that feat with a score of 37 against Branford and then turned a 36 against Sheehan to collect another medal. Matt doesn’t feel too much pressure when it comes to being relied upon on the links. Matt says he’s used to high-stakes play, plus he knows that he has a great backbone of support in his corner with his fellow Tigers.
“The 33 was my best round of the year, and it was a two-under-par at home at Madison Country Club, and I started with a birdie on the first hole,” Matt says. “I’ve played in a lot of tournaments growing up, so I’m used to the pressure. But I have a supportive team. We feed off of each other. Pick them up and they do the same for me. I enjoy being with these guys.”
Hand Head Coach Jim Holleran says that Matt is a competitive person who’s always striving to perform at a peak level. Holleran credits Matt for spending a lot of extra time on the course.
“Matthew generally plays as my No. 1 player in matches. He brings excellent play and the desire to excel to our team. He is never satisfied with his game,” says Holleran. “After every match, he is usually going out to play more golf or going to the range to work on his game.”
With the postseason now here, Matt and the Tigers feel confident that they can contend for both SCC and state gold. In a game of numbers, Matt knows that everyone in the Tigers’ lineup needs to have a quality round in order for them to claim some championship hardware.
“I think we have a good chance at both SCCs and states. We are a good team that picks each other up,” says Matt, who thanks his family, coaches Bill and Susie Whaley, and Holleran. “If we put together four good scores and put in good practices, then we should do well. For me, my goals are to keep practicing and get my scores consistently lower.”