Nauset Boys Golf Coach Hicks Earns 200th Win, Warriors Improve To 13-0

A special season comes with special accomplishments. 

 Nauset boys golf coach Brian Hicks celebrated his 200th career win Oct. 2 when the Warriors upended Sandwich, 230-259, at Captains Golf Course.

“It’s sort of nostalgic for me,” said Hicks, who is in his 19th season leading the program. “I look back on teams and players that I’ve had and certainly this group is special, but there’s also Will and Charlie Campbell, Dan Campbell, Andrew Flynn, Jeff Duggan, Nathan Mead – guys in the past who were fantastic players and really boosted that record. 

“Without them, we’re a middling program. It’s been a handful of guys who have boosted the program up, and Jack Martin is certainly one of those guys.”

The Warriors have cruised through the Cape and Islands League competition, posting a 13-0 record with remaining matches against Nantucket on Wednesday at Captains and at St. John Paul II on Thursday at Willowbend Country Club. 

Thursday’s match will be a dress rehearsal for Friday, when the team returns to Willowbend for the Cape and Islands League championship. 

While Hicks has been thrilled with the team’s perfect start, he knows with great success comes bigger challenges. 

“My line to the boys has been, ‘All right, that’s a big win. That should put a smile on your face but it also puts a target on your back,’” Hicks said. “I know teams are coming for us.”

Martin, a senior captain, has led the Warriors at the top of the lineup alongside juniors Max St. Aubin and Logan Miller. 

“(St. Aubin) came into his own last year and really, really worked hard during the offseason,” Hicks said. “He was out there a ton working on his game and it shows. He’s got to the point where he’s consistently shooting one or two over par.”

Hicks also praised Oliver Smith, a freshman who has made an immediate impact for the team after transferring from Cape Cod Academy. 

“He started a little slowly, but he’s really come to life,” Hicks said. “He’s had a couple rounds for us under par and his average has dipped below 40 for the year as well. That was a pleasant addition.”

 While Hicks and the Warriors are hopeful for a strong performance at Friday’s league championship, the team is also preparing for another postseason appearance in the Division 2 South sectional at Segregansett Country Club in Taunton.

 “We’re going to play a practice round at the sectional tournament so we know it,” Hicks. At these (tournaments), I always want them to be relaxed and focused. That’s my push for them. I never want them uptight or to feel like they have to do anything special, just that if they go out and do what they can do and stay focused over every shot the results should be good.”