The par-72 championship course designed by Brian Silva opened in 1998, and plays 6,954 yards from the back tees.
An 18-hole, one-day, stroke-play tournament on one of the most demanding courses in Massachusetts, the CCN has served as an MIAA postseason tuneup since its inception.
“I always love the fact that going down there is a great simulation for the postseason tournament,” said Xaverian coach Gerry Lambert. “It’s the same feeling in the air.
“There’s a lot of great players there, so you get that vibe. Eighteen holes, a little bit of a crisp in the air, and all the other stuff like that.”
Xaverian won last year by five strokes over St. John’s Prep, and Thomas Constantine, Quinn Dumas, and Michael McCormack return with plans to keep the Campbell Trophy.
“We’re playing well, but 18 holes is more challenging than nine,” Lambert noted. “And when the other three guys in your group are all top players from all around the state, that adds a little bit to the flavor and the feel.”
While the camaraderie of competing for a trophy in late September is a big benefit for a program, the seven individual selections still get the experience of high-stakes, high-pressure golf.
St. Aubin welcomes the experience of competing as an individual.
“Obviously, the venue is incredible. CCN is just an awesome course,” St. Aubin said. “I’m excited to compete as an individual. I wish the team was there, but I think it’ll still be fun. It’s such a good field, and such a good tournament to be in.”
Chatigny is getting his first taste of the invitational, and Sandwich coach Ryan Potter says he’s up for the challenge.
“I’ve been around high school golf for a long time, and Blaise is probably the best ball striker I’ve ever seen at his age,” Potter said. “He has a lot of experience playing in these types of tournaments over the summer, so it’s not anything that’s foreign to him. He’s very ready for it. He’s locked in, and he’s playing some great golf.”
Chatigny is girded for the level of competition.
“It’s my first year, so I’m kind of playing it like I’d play my home course,” Chatigny said. “It’s a dogfight, you’re just going to try and produce your best, and acknowledge the people you’re playing with are up there, too. I think I’m one of the best there as well, so it’s really anyone’s game.”
Some Cape golfers have a leg up on the competition through practice rounds.
“I’ve played it a bunch. A lot of my buddies caddy there,” St. Aubin said. “I think I know the course pretty well compared to the field, and I’m looking to get out there [before Sunday] to check it out and see what it’s looking like.”
“It doesn’t bother him to play in this [tournament.] He’s excited by it,” Nauset coach Brian Hicks added. “He doesn’t shy away from big moments.”
Teams: Ayer Shirley, BC High, Concord-Carlisle, St John’s (Shrewsbury), St. John’s Prep, Wellesley, Weston, and Xaverian.
Tee shots
▪ Do players have the annual New England Interscholastic Championships circled on their calendar? The 34th edition is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 26 (boys) and Monday, Oct. 27 (girls) at the Mohegan Sun GC in Baltic, Conn., with 12 boys and 12 girls representing the Bay State.
The MIAA has accommodated those dates by moving its cutoff date (Oct. 9), along with the 12 sectional qualifiers (Oct. 14-15) and three state finals (Oct. 20-21) up a week for the second straight year.
However, those earlier dates have proven to be a challenge for tournament directors in securing viable courses for championship play in mid-October. This year, in particular, has been difficult with Columbus Day falling on the 13th.
The topic generated a lengthy discussion at Wednesday’s MIAA golf committee meeting in Franklin, with a few members asking if the postseason slate should be dictated by one event, and the ramications of lack of course availability.
▪ One key rule change for the MIAA tournament that should speed up play: maximum score policy. A player can pick up his/her ball at any point on a hole and be credited with a double par plus 1.
▪ Once again, scores in the tournament will be recorded by GolfGenius. However, as Weston coach Mary O’Brien emphasized, individual scorecards are the final arbiter, and should not be signed by the player until reaching the scoring tent.
Craig Larson of the Globe staff contribute to this story.
Joe Eachus can be reached at joseph.eachus@globe.com. Follow him @joeeachus_.
