Golfer Matt Smith Named to All-New England First Team

Senior Matt Smith of the University of Hartford men’s golf team was announced as one of five members of the All-New England First Team in a release from the New England, Division I, Golf Association. The Thompson, Conn., native was one of five Hawks to make one of the All-New England teams for the 2011-12 season.

Smith led the Hawks all season, playing from the No. 1 position in the Hartford lineup. The senior posted an average of 73.77 strokes per round while earning six top-10 finishes in his final year as a Hawk. Smith highlighted his senior season as the individual medalist at the New England Division Championship with a one-under-par 71 for his final round of the April tournament.

Smith also earned a spot on the America Sky Golf Conference All-Conference First Team for his play this year.

A pair of Hawks also earned second-team distinction. Wally Gonzalez, a freshman from San Diego, Calif., and Patrick Ross, a sophomore from Dunmore, Pa., picked up that honor.

Gonzalez led the Hawks at the America Sky Championship at the Lake of Isles Golf Course in North Stonington, Conn., shooting a 232 over the tournament’s three rounds to take 12th place in the conference.

Ross played much of his sophomore season out of the No. 2 slot for the Hawks. Ross earned a top-10 finish at the Connecticut Cup last fall. The sophomore posted a two-over-par 218 for the tournament, his best 54-hole score of the campaign, to tie for sixth in the tournament field.

Also earning an Honorable Mention for the New England, Division I, Golf Association were sophomore Sean Ko and freshman Anthony Vecchiarelli. The five Hawks honored were the most of any school on the list.