Red Raiders are 4-0 after Freedom League wins
Published October 16, 2020
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—Don’t look now, but the Melrose Red Raider golf team appears to be the team to beat in the Middlesex Freedom League after starting the season at 4-0, thanks to consecutive wins against Burlington and Stoneham.
The Red Raiders picked up a pair of wins against each team in their two straight matches, including a 42-30 season-opening win against Watertown on Sept. 29 at Mt. Hood Golf Club. It was a terrific day for senior captain Quinn McCarthy, who is 4-0 in his efforts, alongside top shooters Will Pierce and Thomas Brodeur, who are also unbeaten at 4-0.
Melrose took easier, back-to-back wins over Stoneham the following week, which was highlighted by a lights-out performance at Bear Hill Golf Club by Quinn McCarthy, who hit three birdies in 9 holes, including a 30 footer to finish his match. “He’s playing out of his mind,” says Melrose coach Rick McDermod. “Just really great golf.”
Melrose’s top spots are currently occupied by McCarthy in the number one spot, followed by Pierce, Brendan Fennell, Thomas Brodeur, Charlie Haggerty, Patrick Cotter, Brian Healy and Anthony Del Genio.
Coach McDermod points to his new players as a real boost to his already-strong squad which contains the team’s top three players in captains Brodeur, McCarthy and Pierce. Super Bowl champ football players have taken advantage of their postponed season to give it a go. And they’re making quite an impression. Quarterback Brendan Fennell is in the #3 seat with three strong matches behind him and Charlie Haggerty recently shot 1-under-par 34 against Stoneham. “It has been great to have them,” says their coach. “What happy luck.”
One thing is for sure, there’s no room for error. In their two wins against Burlington, Melrose only eked out a victory in their second match, a far cry from their first and a reality check. “I told the boys that every point counts,” says the coach. “There are never enough points. It’s human nature to be excited by a lead and relax. But, we’re going to eliminate that for the rest of our season so we can avoid close calls.”
Upcoming matches include back-to-back contests against Watertown and Wilmington. On Tuesday, Melrose was forced to postpone against Watertown from rain and was rescheduled to Wednesday (post deadline). Melrose will travel to Hillview Country Club to take on Wilmington next week and then will host them on October 22 at 3:00 p.m. at Bellevue. Beyond that, Melrose is are keeping a cautious eye on Wakefield who is also 4-0 right now. “This is where to we want to be right now, but there is a lot of season left,” cautions McDermod.
