Newtown High School’s boys’ golf team heads into its second fall season with a mix of returning and new talent to lead the way. A spring sport in previous years, boys’ golf switched to the fall last year and Newtown will look to build off a successful campaign.

The Nighthawks placed fifth as a team in the South-West Conference championships. The regular season featured the program’s lowest match score since 2015 when the Hawks posted a 157-269 win over Stratford, at Rock Ridge Country Club.

“We graduated half of our eight-man team from last year. We have five returning players; Charlie Hanson, Colin Luby, Josh Glass, Tyler White, and Carter Briggs,” said Newtown Coach Shawn Tierney, noting that Briggs is back after a season with the soccer team in the fall.

Tierney held tryouts this week and was hopeful of finding some new, young talent to help round out the roster. Captains were to be named following tryouts.

“I think we’re definitely in the top half of the conference and will be able to challenge any team when we play well. Charlie and Colin have the most experience and if they can be more consistent, they are contenders for All Conference this year. I consider Pomperaug the strongest team based on the players they have returning,” Tierney said.

The Pomperaug of Southbury Panthers were SWC champions last fall. Among Newtown’s graduates were Trevor Hislop, the third-place finisher in the conference match.

Golf season gets going earlier than the other fall sports. Newtown’s season opener is Tuesday, August 23, when the Nighthawks visit Brookfield at Sunset Hill Golf Course starting at 11:15 am.

The Hawks are scheduled to have three consecutive home matches after that, each at Rock Ridge, starting at 3 pm: A rematch with Brookfield on Wednesday, August 31, a date with New Milford on Wednesday, September 7, and a match against Bethel on Monday, September 12.

Among other matches to circle on the schedule are a Wednesday, September 21 visit to Masuk at Monroe’s Whitney Farms Golf Course, a nonconference clash with visiting Fairfield Prep on Monday, September 26, and a home tilt with Pomperaug on Tuesday, October 11; each of these begin at 3 pm.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.