Golf Preview: Best Ever?

Hamden Hall has certainly had its share of outstanding individual golfers over the years. Bill Hadden from the 1970s is HH's most accomplished, having been inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame in 2007. Hadden, in fact, won the Vermont Senior Open in 2014, and as recent as 2018 played in the US Senior Amateur tournament. Other standouts also come to mind: Aaron Gross, Brendan Ruby, Joelle McAlpine, Tim Swensen, Matt Kramer, Grant Smith and all-time great Evan Bierne among them. However, Coach Keith Kaliszewski confidently asserts that this is the best golf team the school has ever seen, with at least four NCAA D1 level golfers, and multiple AJGA and junior tournament wins amongst team members. 

The team is led by two solid senior captains. Jackson Roman has committed to Loyola University (MD) for next year. A defending Kingswood Invitational Tournament champion, Jackson was FAA All League as a sophomore. His game has improved as he increased his consistency and length off the tee. Nolan RIchards, another senior captain, has also been a steady contributor and a great leader for the younger players. Ben James is certainly one of the very best around. Already committed to the University of Virginia, Ben played in the US Amateur at Bandon Dunes this past summer and recently came in top-5 in the Dustin Johnson World Junior. The powerful junior will continue to be the anchor at the No. 1 spot.

In addition, the Hornet squad also boasts two outstanding female golfers. Sophia Sarrazin, is a sophomore transfer from Staples in Westport. Last summer Sophia captured the CT State Women's Amateur title and is a very accomplished junior golfer. Sabina Kovalik is another talented sophomore. Though she did not have the chance to demonstrate her skills with last season's cancellation, Sabina has continued to work hard and will be ready for her chance to contribute this spring. 

The team also includes Johnathan Harlukowitz, still another talented soph, who has  upped his game since joining the team. He played particularly well in the fall and Coach Kaliszewski will look to him to fill a spot in Varsity matches. 

A number of solid middle schoolers round out the team. Eighth grader North Cherry is already an accomplished junior golfer for his age and shoots at or around par for most rounds, having already earned All League honors. J.R. Wallis and Phillip Kim have both honed their swing and are hitting it farther; they will help make up the future core of the team for sure. Seventh grader Noah Bush is also showing plenty of potential.

With such a diverse pool of talent, Hamden Hall should be far better than just “par for the course” this spring.