'I thought they were kidding': High school golfer starts season with a hole-in-one

NORTH READING— On the first day of tryouts , every student athlete wants the chance to make a good impression or show off the progress they've made ahead of a new season.

It's safe to say Austin Prep golfer Jack Burnham did just that Monday.

The junior from Melrose made a statement start to his season, sinking a hole-in-one on the 14th hole at the Hillview Golf Course in North Reading.

"I didn't know it went in (at first) because a bunch of my friends were in front of us and they were messing with me and a few of my friends all day, so I thought they were kidding," Burnham said. "Then I walked up and it was just in the hole and it was kind of crazy."

Coach Cole Connolly was a couple holes ahead when he heard the resulting commotion.

"I heard all of the kids screaming and initially I thought he had left a club behind or was just goofing off, but then all of a sudden my phone started going off and I found out that he had a hole-in-one, so it was pretty exciting to be honest," Connolly said.

It was the first time Connolly had seen a Cougar golfer make the most sought-after shot in golf in practice, and he was especially happy for Burnham to be the one to do it.

"He's driven and passionate about golf," Connolly said. "Jack's a good player and he usually doesn't get the notoriety he deserves because he's not in the top slot, so it was pretty exciting to see everyone rally around him (Monday)."

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It also further energized his teammates ahead of their third season in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) .

"I think right away they're pretty excited to try and match his hole-in-one," Connolly said. "Some of the captains were already saying they're going to try and get out in close on some of the par threes this week."

As for Burnham, he said the moment made it feel as if all the work on his game over the summer is starting to pay off and he can't wait for what's ahead.

Austin Prep kicks off its 2024 golf season on Sept. 5 hosting MIAA opponent Marblehead before starting the NEPSAC campaign on Sept. 11 against Marianapolis Prep (Conn.) at the Raceway Golf Club in Thompson, Conn.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: 'I thought they were kidding': High school golfer starts season with a hole-in-one