Raptors Make History on Links

RHAM boys’ golf won their first state championship on June 6. Pictured are: (l-r) Preston Duprey, Jimmy Hulland, Jack Luby, head coach Spencer Molkenthin, Carson Waddell, Conner Rabbitt, and Holden Sullivan

RHAM’s first-year boys’ golf head coach Spencer Molkenthin knew his team had a chance to win the Division II state championship, but he didn’t anticipate it being a runaway victory.  
           
“We didn’t know we’d win by 14 strokes. We thought it was going to be tighter than that,” said Molkenthin. 
           
The Raptors shot a 311 (+23) to tear apart the competition, defeated runner-up Ellington (+37) by the wide margin at Tallwood Country Club in Hebron on June 6.
           
It marked the program’s first ever state championship.
           
Across the board it was an entire team effort, with four players finishing in the top 11 out of 85 total golfers. 
           
Carson Waddell and Conner Rabbitt led the way, each shooting a 77 (+5) to tie for 3rd individually, while Holden Sullivan shot a 78 (+6) to finish tied for 7th and Jimmy Hulland shot a 79 (+7) to finish 11th. 
           
Bradley Sawka of Ellington won the individual title, shooting 69 (-3). 
           
The state championship capped an amazing year for the team as the Raptors won all but one regular season meet. In May, they shot the best overall score at the Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) tournament before being disqualified after the tourney because of a misinterpretation of a rule. 
           
Because of the DQ, Molkenthin said his team entered the state tourney with “a chip on our shoulder.” 
           
A deep and competitive roster was a key factor for RHAM this spring, with the four players taking turns atop the leaderboards.
           
Sullivan finished as the medalist the most times with Waddell, Rabbitt, and Hulland each taking turns atop the leaderboard in multiple meets.
           
“It was a special group,” recalled Molkenthin. “Our top five and six guys can really shoot and throw up a number any day in the 70s. The depth on our team is what sets us apart from most teams in the state.”
           
At the state championships, Hulland—who is one of two seniors—gave the team an early boost by shooting an eagle on the first hole. 
           
With the Raptors leading by a significant margin heading into the back nine, Molkenthin turned to his senior striker to help bring home the victory by asking him to play a more conservative brand of golf.   
           
Hulland shot even-par on six of the final eight holes. 
           
“That shows you how much he’s grown as a golfer. He can always attack and throw up that big number, but on Monday he went into a defense-mode and threw up a lot of pars for us,” recalled Molkenthin.
           
Rabbitt, a freshman, shot a birdie on the third hole and then was incredibly consistent on the back nine, paring eight of nine holes 
           
Entering the season, Molkenthin knew of Rabbitt’s potential and was impressed most with how well he adapted to the team. 
           
“He’s been very consistent all year and he’s made strides as a teammate,” said Molkenthin. “His whole life he’s been an individual golfer and then all of a sudden he is part of the RHAM family and the seniors and juniors really accepted him. That’s something special to see, that my seniors all the way down to my freshmen are a collaborative family.”
           
Both Sullivan and Waddell were also rock solid at the state meet, with Sullivan birdying the first two holes and Waddell sinking three birdies. 
           
RHAM hosts their home matches at Black Ledge Country Club, but entire team was comfortable with the course at Tallwood, which is located off North Street in Hebron.  
           
Molkenthin said the familiarity with the course gave the team confidence on the big stage, adding, “We thought we had a pretty good chance at putting up a pretty good number.”
           
Both courses in Hebron were particularly beneficial this spring for the Raptors, who won all nine meet in town this spring.  
           
They were also victorious in all but one away meet, with the lone blemish to Tolland on April 25.
           
It was a different story during the state championship where Tolland would finish 5th overall, 23 strokes behind RHAM.
           
Molkenthin added the team gained momentum heading into postseason play when they defeated Killingly––the top ranked team in Division II––on the road in the regular season finale.  
           
Because of their performance at states, Rabbitt, Sullivan, and Waddell qualified for the State Open at Back Hall Club in Old Lyme. 
           
Rabbitt tied for 6th (76), Sullivan tied for 12th (79), and Waddell finished 24th (88). 
           
All three will be back next year for Molkenthin, who took over for longtime head coach Mark Law prior to the season.
            Molkenthin, who also is an assistant boys’ basketball coach at the high school, said the entire season was “absolutely surreal”, adding, “It’s crazy to think we only have one senior leaving that core group. I think we can make another run at it next year.”
           
Hulland, who will play college basketball at the University of New England, and Michael Leccese will be the team’s departing seniors.