Shawn Tierney, an All-State golfer at New Milford High School and math teacher at Newtown High, succeeds Bobby Pattison as head coach of the Newtown High boys’ golf team.

Tierney went on to play Division I golf at both the University of Miami and University of Hartford and has prior coaching experience.

“I am excited to be coaching again and the team is a great group of kids that show good potential,” Tierney said.

The Nighthawks, after graduating eight seniors in 2019, lost two more — Adam Kliczewski and Jack Mulligan — who missed out on the 2020 campaign, canceled due to the coronavirus.

The eight-member Newtown team is led by four upperclassmen: senior captain Jake Mailloux, junior captain Alex Walton, and juniors Brendan Adams and James Celentano.

“Jake, Alex, and Brendan all have some experience from their time two years ago on the team. The other half of the team consists of freshman Colin Luby, Carter Briggs, Charlie Hanson, and Tyler White,” Tierney said.

“The boys’ golf team is excited to be outside and mask-free on the course. We feel lucky that our sport has not been affected for the most part by COVID-19 restrictions,” Tierney said. “The schedule for this season is a bit condensed, with all 16 matches having to be played in conference before June. The guys have been working hard on sharpening their games the last few weeks at Rock Ridge [Country Club].”

Newtown’s first match was against Bethel at Connecticut Country Club on April 14. NHS won with a team score of 188. Medalist was James Celentano with a 43. Joel Barlow of Redding visits the Hawks at Rock Ridge on Monday, April 19, at 3 pm.

“Next year, the golf season is moving to the fall, so the team should hit the ground running,” Tierney said.