Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School freshman golfer Ted Romanelli says he likes the sport because it's up to the individual players to win the match.

“I like it because it’s an independent sport. If you screw up, it’s your own fault,” Romanelli said. “It kind of forces me to make myself better.”

Romanelli is a newsmaker for the school because he is the only freshman to start a golf match for the Cougars’ varsity team.

“The team has been pretty successful so far, but nobody as ever started as a freshmen,” said the school's Athletic Director Matt Trahan.

For Romanelli, golf has been his passion for the last five years. His older brother John also played golf for the Cougars.

Although he is just starting his high school years, Romanelli already has aspirations of becoming an architect or a landscape designer after college and is currently studying computer-aided design.

“School is always first in my family,” Romanelli said. “When my work is down, I try to play as much as possible.”

Once he puts down the books, Romanelli said he picks up his golf clubs and spends as much time as possible on courses in Dartmouth.

“I take a few putts, hit a few balls and loosen up,” Romanelli said. “I want to get the feel for everything.”

Romanelli, who also plays for the school's basketball team, said he believes the golf team will continue its success this season but that’s not without some practice.

“I need to shoot lower and I’ll keep getting better,” Romanelli said. “I need to make all of the short putts. That’s the key."