In celebration of Shrewsbury’s first ever Division 1 Golf title yesterday, the golfers plunged into the water hazard at the 18th hole at Turner Hill Country Club.

“We planned that if everything went well, we’d jump in the water,’’ said senior captain Nick Erlichman.

The Colonials had a four-player total of 318, which was good enough to best Needham by one stroke.

“This is exactly the way the kids have been doing it all year,’’ said Leo Murray, who co-coaches with P.J. O’Connell. “We have 10 kids we can count on and this was a total team effort.’’

Erlichman led the team with a 6-over-par 78, followed by Andy Reese (79), Nick Rodriguez (79), and David Thompson (82).

“I got off to a good start,’’ said Erlichman. “I was 1-under through seven holes but the back nine really got to me and I struggled.’’

After finishing third the last two years, Shrewsbury finally got over the hump.

“The players really made this team successful and [the coaches] really just enjoyed the ride,’’ said Murray, whose team finished 18-1-1.

The Colonials persevered despite poor weather. A blustery wind and cool temperatures made a tough course even harder.

“There were lots of high scores, but everyone was bunched together,’’ said Murray. “The wind was tough and in general, playing this late in the year was tough.’’

A handful of golfers escaped the day with rounds under 80, making Shrewsbury’s top three scores even more impressive.

Erlichman’s 78 was also good enough to net him second place in the individual competition.

Nick McLaughlin of St. John’s Prep came in first, shooting an even par-72. He was the only competitor to complete the course with a round of even or better.

“I hit some balls well and had some birdie putts,’’ said McLaughlin. “I was striking the ball well and capitalized on a few of them.’’

McLaughlin pulled away from the pack on the 13th and 14th holes and finished with four birdies and four bogeys.

“I birdied holes 13 and 14 and that got me going on the right track,’’ said the sophomore. “I made some bogeys down the stretch, but I had a good cushion to work with.’’

Even though the course was tough, McLaughlin didn’t seem fazed.

“The fairways were soft and the greens were quick but perfect,’’ said McLaughlin.

McLaughlin almost didn’t make it to the finals. He nailed a 25-foot par put on the 17th hole in qualifying to remain at 76, which was the highest qualifying score.

McLaughlin can add his individual championship to his collection of titles which include the Mass. Junior Championship, which he won in July.