Warriors had another highly successful season
THE 2015 Warrior golf team is pictured with the Middlesex League Shootout Trophy at the team’s recent banquet. Members of the team are Timmy Hurley, Steven Melanson, Stephen Marino, David Melanson, Austin Collard, Michael Guanci, John Evangelista, Dylan Melanson, Justin Sullivan and Kevin Murray.
Published in the November 20, 2015 edition.
By JIM SOUTHMAYD
WAKEFIELD — In 2014, the Wakefield Memorial High golf team was among the best ever in school history to play on the links. You can say the same thing
THE WMHS golf team had several award winners at the team’s recent banquet. From left to right are Head Coach Dennis Bisso, Kevin Murray (Most Improved), Steven Melanson (Senior Appreciation), Stephen Marino (Coaches Award), Dylan Melanson (Most Consistent Golfer) and Assistant Coach Tom Merchant.
about the 2015 Warriors.
This fall’s Wakefield team had a terrific year in its own right and also nine of the 10 players were on the ‘14 team as well.
While Wakefield did come up short of winning a Middlesex League Freedom division championship, it did accomplish something that last year’s squad didn’t by winning the M.L. Shootout.
Like last year’s team, the Warriors qualified for the Div. 2 North sectional tournament once again and had a good showing there.
Wakefield posted a 10-4 overall record and 7-4 record in the M.L. Freedom division. The Warriors came up short of a league championship by half a game as Burlington posted a 7-3-1 league record to win the championship outright.
“We had an outstanding year. We didn’t win the Middlesex League championship even though we beat Burlington,” said Coach Dennis Bisso. “Burlington won the Freedom division with a 7-3-1 record and we were 7-4. They tied Belmont which was the difference. Belmont won the Liberty division.”
The Warriors did win the M.L. Shootout for the first time in team history. Wakefield hosted the event at the Bear Hill Golf club and playing at home helped the Warriors come out on top against the league’s best golfers.
“It was a tremendous accomplishment winning the Middlesex League Shootout,” said Bisso. “As far as the league is concerned, it was very strong. We had a good season.”
Wakefield was led by senior co-captain Dylan Melanson a junior David Melanson. Both were league all-stars.
THE WMHS golf team named its two captains for next year’s team at its recent banquet. From left to right are Coach Dennis Bisso, outgoing captain Steven Melanson, incoming captains David Melanson and Michael Guanci, and outgoing captain Dylan Melanson.
David Melanson played at one and went 8-4 in 12 contests and halved two others. Dylan Melanson played at the second and third positions and posted a 9-4 record while halving two matches. Both also shot a 79 in the league shootout.
Mike Guanci, a junior, was injured at the beginning of the season with a shoulder issue. When he worked his way back, he played at number seven until he was ready to move up to the second spot. Guanci, who shot a 78 at the league shootout, posted a 7-3 record and halved four contests.
At number four, Tim Hurley, a junior, won nine matches, halved three and lost two.
Steven Melanson, a senior co-captain, posted a 9-5 record playing in the lower end of the order. He did get hot over the final seven matches for the Warriors.
Junior Austin Collard played at five and had nine wins as he went 9-4 with one halved contest.
Seniors Stephen Marino and Kevin Murray played near the bottom of the lineup and sometimes played in the alternate matches. Murray had the most victories by an individual with 10 as went 10-3 with one halved contest. Marino won four matches and halved two.
Justin Sullivan, a junior, also was a returning golfer and he played primarily in the alternate matches where he won three contests. With four seniors graduating, there is room for him to move up.
The newcomer on this year’s roster was John Evangelista, a junior. Evangelista played mostly in the alternate JV matches. He posted a record of 8-2 and halved four contests. Bisso expects Evangelista to be in the varsity lineup next year.
“We had a similar season this year and I’m very happy,” said Bisso. “These players have taken the program to another level. We have four seniors this year that are leaving but we have six returning. So we will need to fill in a couple of spots. We have athletes that played a lot of golf over the years and helped us to become a strong team in the Middlesex League. At one time, we would lose by 15 points. We have come a long way.”
Bisso feels that there many people to thank for their help starting with the parents of the players.
“The parents worked hard to drive the kids back and forth to the matches and they had drinks and snacks after the matches,” said Bisso.
Bisso also wanted to thank Bear Hill Golf Pro Eric Stephenson for all his help in hosting matches and he also wanted to thank the staff at the Thomson Country Club where Wakefield played half its home matches and practiced.
“They gave us more time on the golf course over the summer with memberships for our team,” said Bisso. “I want to thank the Pro Chris Young and his staff over there.”
Bisso also thanked Brendan Kent, K-12 director of Athletics, Health and Wellness for all his help.
He also wanted to thank the donators to the team’s raffle which helps pay for the team’s awards banquet. That includes Howie Melanson of Mel and Sons Oil who contributed 100 gallons of heating oil for first prize. Second prize was a round of golf for a foursome at the Thomson Country Club. Third prize was a gift basket with gift certificates to local restaurants.
The past two fall seasons have two of the best Wakefield’s has ever had in golf. The Warriors are hoping for another big year in 2016.
