QUECHEE — As the final trio of golfers made their way up the ninth hole at The Quechee Club’s Highland course, a debate raged off the green.

To sub or not to sub? That is the question.

An argument ensued about whether a Jersey Mike’s sandwich constituted an appropriate dinner-time meal. A couple Otter Valley golfers, with some of Hartford’s golfers and coach Erin Stevens participating in the lively discussion, tried to vouch for the franchise chain that stars Danny DeVito in its commercials but were met with resistance.

For Stevens, the post-match sandwich discourse was indicative of what makes high school golf special.

In an afternoon match on Wednesday featuring the two programs that have captured the last three VPA Division II state titles, the camaraderie between the Hartford and Otter Valley golfers was evident. The competition was there too, as Otter Valley eked out a win by three strokes, carding a total score of 164 to Hartford’s 167.

Otter Valley senior Lucas Politano, who won the 118th Vermont Amateur Championship in July, was the match medalist after shooting an even-par 36.

“Our teams know each other well at this point. When you’re alone with your bag and the other guys in your group for 4, 4½ hours, you get to know each other,” Stevens said. “It’s very different (from other sports). I mean, we were just joking about Jersey Mike’s versus Subway. … That’s something I really appreciate about golf.”

Hartford junior Thomas Thorburn was in the first group off the tee, paired up with Politano and 13-year-old freshman Jake Smith, one of three Windsor golfers competing in the match.

By his own admission, Thorburn’s season got off to a rough start. He carded a 50 at the Hurricanes’ opening match at Woodstock, a round that quickly spiraled after his drive on the first tee went so far out of bounds that a person across the street picked up the ball in their front yard and threw it back across, Stevens said.

Thorburn chalked the dismal performance up to poor putting, which he said has since been improved after a coaching lesson. The mental side of the game has also become easier for him and has benefited his game of late as well, too.

“The big shift is just swinging easier; you don’t have to kill it every time,” Thorburn said. “And course management (too). You don’t have to hit driver on every hole, even though it’s fun to hit driver, but the risk-reward is just not there. So take your medicine, hit a 5-iron, put it on the green and make par. It’s a big difference.”

One of Hartford’s two captains along with senior Matt Tsouknakis, Thorburn rebounded to medal at back-to-back matches on Sept. 10 and Sept. 13. He shot a 3-over 39 on Wednesday, a mark that was tied for the third-lowest score of the round with Smith.

But regardless of whether he cards a 34 or a 50, Stevens said you’ll never see his demeanor change, an attribute she admires.

“That’s a good thing,” Stevens said of Thorburn’s body language. “Every match he is doing something different than the last time, because he’s learning from his previous rounds. … He’s a student of the game.”

After graduating three seniors from last season’s title-winning squad, Thorburn said Hartford “has to rebuild.” The bus rides are quieter now following the departure of the graduated golfers and the introduction of varsity returnees, former jayvee players and transfers. It’s all a learning exercise for Thorburn and Tsouknakis as leaders, the former said.

From Stevens’ view, the “close-knit nature” from last season’s squad is still just as evident this year. The on-course dedication is there, too.

Hartford is still sorting out its best five-man lineup among its seven golfers ahead of the D-II sectional tournament at Neshobe Golf Club on Oct. 1, with Wednesday’s match another step toward establishing that alignment.

It was also the Hurricanes’ fourth match in six days. Stevens said she was pleading with her team to take a day off before players began joking about doing a range session the next day. She didn’t think they were joking.

“They just can’t get enough of it,” Stevens said.

Stevens also couldn’t get enough of the dinner discourse that had consumed the conversation as golfers pooled together after finishing play, so she had to inquire about a possible resolution.

As the gaggle of white, red and blue polos dispersed from the ninth green, Stevens asked Politano if a verdict had been reached regarding a post-match meal. The quintet of Otter Valley golfers had not arrived at a conclusion.

Alex Cervantes can be reached at acervantes@vnews.com or 603-727-7302.