The King’s Fork High School golf team picked up a win against Wilson High School Tuesday afternoon.

The sometimes dreadful feeling of summer ending as school starts didn’t seem to affect the Bulldogs Tuesday. At the Nansemond River Golf Course, King’s Fork defeated Wilson by shooting a score of 381. It’s the lowest score the Bulldogs have shot so far this season. Four players shot their best scores as well. Hunter Ruggerio was the medalist of the day, shooting a 91.

“It was good to come off the weekend and get a win like that,” Bulldogs coach Robert Casteen said. “You can tell they were loose and enjoying what they were doing. It’s rewarding watching guys shoot their lowest score. They are always wanting to get extra practice in to be better.”

In its first match of the season, the King’s Fork team shot a score of 471. Now, the team has cut down strokes, which has led to its low. Casteen is proud of the work his guys were able to do to get their scores down. Before each match, Casteen talks to his team and asks what they want to shoot for that match. Since the first match, the scores the players have been wanting to shoot have been getting lower and lower.

“It’s awesome when they hit their mark,” Casteen said. “They just want to get better every day.”

Along with Rugerrio, Michael Barnes and Landon Martino shot their lowest scores. As the season continues, Casteen wants to see the teammates continue to enjoy each other and build their chemistry. He has enjoyed the progress he has seen from his team from its first match until now.

“At the beginning, guys were just learning the game,” he said. “Now guys know the rules and are taking advantage of them to save strokes. They know how to fix their swings when they take bad shots.”

Casteen makes it a point to have team chemistry and bonding moments. Once a week, the team gathers for lunch to continue to grow with each other. Those things carry over onto the golf course as well. The Bulldogs like to compete but also make sure they are encouraging each other at the same time.

“We are not only being competitive within the match, but they are also picking up the teammate they are playing with,” Casteen said. “Everyone is trying to shoot their own personal score, but they are also encouraging their teammate as well.”

King’s Fork is set to take on Lakeland High School Tuesday at Sleepy Hole Golf Course.

Nansemond River Golf Course—Par 72

King’s Fork—381

Wilson—DNQ

Medalist: Hunter Ruggiero—92