By Michael Letendre

HEBRON – The Bristol Central golf team was a mere five strokes away from winning a Division I boys golf championship on Monday, June 5.

Against a loaded field, the Rams pushed Cheshire to the brink in a big nip and tuck battle that included the programs from Amity and Xavier.

But in the end, Cheshire pulled out the victory over Central, snaring a score of 316 to eke out the Division I championship from Tallwood Country Club in Hebron.

It was Cheshire’s second ever title win while Central (321) carded an amazing score in the title tilt.

Five teams had a shot in this one because after Rams’ runner-up finish, Amity (323) came in third place – two strokes behind Central – Xavier (325) seized fourth place while Shelton (331) finished in fifth over a very loaded field.

The Rams had four performers snare finishes among the top 41 of the event, including a tremendous showing by Brandon Frye.

He checked in with a score of 75, an amazing tally among a tough Division I crowd.

That score tied Frye for fourth place overall, finishing behind only champion Andrew Beauton of Guilford (70), runner-up AJ DePaolo from Cheshire (71) and Aoife Devaney from the outstanding Waterbury Coop (72).

Central’s Scott Petrosky carded a 78, good for a tie for 10th place along with three other competitors.

To round out Central’s top-five, Joey Pikiell (19th place, 81), Avery Philips (41st, 87) and Jacoby Fry (82nd, 110) rounded out Bristol’s outstanding effort.

2023 CIAC Division I Boys Golf

from Tallwood Country Club, Hebron

TEAM RESULTS

1.   Cheshire 316

2.   Bristol Central 321

3.   Amity 323

4.   Xavier 325

5.   Shelton 331

6.   Guilford 334

7.   Waterbury Coop 338

8.   East Lyme 341

9.   E.O. Smith 342

10.  Notre Dame-West Haven 347

11.  Middletown 349

12.  Norwich Free Academy 351

13.  North Haven 352

14.  Woodstock Academy 358

15.  Maloney 364

16.  South Windsor 371

17.  Enfield 384

Individual Finishes – Bristol Central

T4.    Brandon Frye, Bristol Central 75

T10.   Scott Petrosky, Bristol Central 78

T19.   Joey Pikiell, Bristol Central 81

T41.   Avery Philips, Bristol Central 87

82.    Jacoby Fry, Bristol Central 110