Golf: Lost Balls and Beauty

9/30/2026

By Matt Thompson

When I moved the Eastern Townships, and specifically to Stanstead in 2012, I had visited the area only once before on a cold, typical January weekend for a hockey tournament. Leaving the greater Toronto area and settling into life in this area, a few things stand out. First would be pace of life and second would be the scenery. From season to season and year to year, the areas that surround campus provide us with breathtaking views and amazing landscapes.

I didn’t need the golf season to appreciate this, but as Coach Rouquette has said so many times early in the season, “We have the best office.” Day by day, as we arrive at the course, the colours of the leaves are only getting more colourful, and the fairways are lush and green. We can also thank Mother Nature for keeping the skies blue. Our golf home at Dufferin Heights is a special place that we are lucky to enjoy, a true gem of the Townships, a challenging and beautiful golf course with priceless views in every direction.

After a few quick weeks of practice, many grip changes, and the usual on-course lessons, it was clear that our group of assembled golfers had both talent and a willingness to learn. It was also clear that fairways in regulation don’t compute in the teenage brain as much as distance off the tee. I have been a member at Dufferin for a number of years, but I have spent more time in the forest the last few weeks looking for a few of our long bombers’ golf balls. With that said, course management remains on our teaching list.

All joking aside, it has been great to see the energy that our golfers have brought to the course daily. Whether on the range, chipping or putting in the practice areas or on the course, there is no question that learning and love for the game are taking place. The day is long, with us usually spending two to three hours at the course, but smiles and enthusiasm have been ever present.

This past Monday, we had our first opportunity to compete as a team. Six of our players crossed the border and headed to Newport, Vermont, to compete in a high school match hosted by North Country Union High school at Newport Country Club. Also at the match were Enosborg Falls High School and Lake Region High School. Walking away as the medalist was our own Zachary V., whose +2 (38) score on 9 holes was the low score of the day. As a team, we tied for second with Lakes Region, as our hosts from North Country Union led the pack.

The day was about competition. Getting the opportunity to test what we have been learning with the pressure of the score card is needed to become better as golfers, but if you know me and what is important to me, you already know that the day was about more than that. As we work to build golf at Stanstead, this was our next step in that process and we hope in time to have many more of these matches on our schedule in the future.

As we left the course, I asked our golfers to send me a message about what stood out for them on this day. Here are some of their answers:

“Today went pretty well. I hit the ball like I was supposed to, just couldn't get the result to show on the scoreboard.”
“The day was amazing, the views, and the people we got to meet were welcoming to us. It was a very nice golf course and the environment was amazing.”
“Today the course was in good conditions and it was very beautiful. I played decently, stripped it off the tee and was consistent with my irons and wedges. However, I had a hard time making the putts drop. Overall, had lots of fun and today was a great start for the new program. Looking forward for future tournaments.”

We look forward to keeping the momentum of our program. And lets not forget whether we make a good shot or a bad shot, the course is a place for us to meet new people and see all the beautiful fall colours around us just like our players noticed Monday.

Coach T

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