Auburn wired only for success; Champs bury headphones.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: Jay Gearan

GRAFTON - A year ago, Auburn High made headlines because of a major mistake - one of its golfers was disqualified for wearing headphones on the course, and the Rockets were denied a spot in the state tournament.

Yesterday, at the same course, Highfields Golf and Country Club, it was all about Auburn's redemption.

Led by medalist Steve Shiner, a senior captain who fired a terrific 2-over-par 74 in windy conditions, the Rockets' top four golfers totaled 317 strokes to capture the Central Mass. Division 2 championship by 10 shots over runner-up Hudson High.

Auburn junior Tyler Lamonda shot 79 and senior Nick Martinelli had an 80.

"We kept all our iPods in the cars. No way they were coming out," said junior Luke Thunberg, thinking back to last year and the day the music died.

The Rockets missed out on a state tournament spot by one shot after a senior golfer's solid 78 was tossed out in the disqualification.

Thunberg carded an 84 yesterday, rounding out the top four scores. Senior Justin Huard was a shot back at 85 and junior Tom Randall shot 90.

"We never blamed it on one guy last year, and never talked about it after that day," Auburn coach Mike Kaczynski said. "We were one shot out of the states, and any one of the other golfers could have made up the difference with just one better stroke.

"That's what makes this win so satisfying. We lost as a team last year, and now we've won as a team."

Lamonda, who made a single birdie (on the first hole) in difficult playing conditions, said: "This was a perfect rebound for our team."

In his career-low round, Shiner birdied Nos. 8 and 9 with 10-footers and finished in style with a six-foot birdie on the 507-yard, par-5 18th. He was one of only six players in yesterday's field to break 80.

"It was awful last year," said Shiner, who shot 88 then and "should have played a lot better."

"We've reclaimed what we had lost," he said.

"Steve has been our most consistent player all season," said Kaczynski, whose team had a 13-3 season and won the SWCL championship last week. "I predicted that Steve would shoot a 78, and he bettered that by four shots."

Kaczynski praised Martinelli, his other captain, saying: "He finished strong the way he has all year, never putting himself before the team. He was our team leader and held himself together and was always even keel. Whether we win or lose, it's never all about Nick."

Thunberg played the back nine first, shooting a 45, but rallied on the front...