New Britain — Corey Drummond pays little attention to his overall score during a round.

He focuses on each golf shot.

So the Old Lyme High School senior was pleasantly surprised when discovering that he fired a 77 at the Shoreline Conference golf tournament Wednesday at Stanley Golf Couse.

The 6-over par score propelled Drummond into the lead and held up, earning him tournament medalist honors for the first time in his career. He nipped Coginchaug's Tyler Woodward, the defending champion, who finished one stroke behind at 78.

"I actually really didn't think about my score throughout the round," Drummond said. "I convinced myself that I was coming in somewhere in the 80s so that I could still attack all the pins. I truly had no idea what I shot. I added it together and found out a I shot a 77.

"So I'm happy with that. I feel good about it. I left a few shots out there. But overall it was a good day."

The performance of Drummond and senior teammate Peter Macadam, who took third with an 80, helped the Wildcats finish second in the tournament with 344 strokes, 11 shots behind champion Coginchaug.

It was the best individual finish in the Shoreline tournament for both golfers.

"Corey and I just knew that today we just had to make something happen," Macadam said.

Using a formula that combines both the regular season and tournament results, Old Lyme also placed second overall to Coginchaug, which captured its third straight title, in the final standings.

"We came in as a third seed and came in second," coach Kirk Kaczor said, "so that's not too bad. Coginchaug is real tough."

Drummond achieved his goal of making the All-Shoreline Conference first team.

It was quite a different story for Drummond at last year's Shoreline tournament during which he was disqualified for a rule violation.

"Good learning curve, but it was unfortunate," Drummond said.

Drummond made a few adjustments after struggling during a practice round Tuesday at Black Hall Club in Old Lyme.

His short game improved on Wednesday, leading to a better day that featured one birdie, 10 pars and seven bogeys.

"It's awesome," Kaczor said of Drummond's individual title. "He had a lousy practice round yesterday and he hadn't put up a score in the 30s in a while. We know he's capable of it. We were hoping that maybe he brings it out today. He certainly did. He had a great round on a tough course."

Macadam also made his last Shoreline tournament a memorable one, recording 12 pars on the way to third place. He said he "lit it up" on the back nine, shooting a 36.

His score enabled him to secure all-conference second team honors.

"I'm happy with the way I played today," said Macadam, who'll attend Penn State with a goal to be a golf pro after graduation.

Although Macadam admits that no matter his score, he'd feel good because it was just a beautiful day to play.

"I love being out on the course and playing golf," Macadam said. "I can't even complain. Even if I shot 95 out there, it's a gorgeous day, so I can't complain."

Thomas Creagan, Connor McGuire and Patrick Flanagan rounded out the team for the Wildcats on Wednesday.

Now Old Lyme will prepare to play in the Division IV state tournament, which tees off June 3 at Tallwood Country Club in Hebron.

The Wildcats are planning to play a practice round there on Thursday.

"Get a little more practice out there, refocus, re-energize," Kaczor said. "Maybe this will give them a little confidence, the two guys at the top. Maybe if those guys at the bottom realize if they play a little bit better, we can win a state championship."

g.keefe@theday.com