Published in the October 26, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High Red Raider golf team are once again league champs are finishing their regular season with a 6-3-2 league record that gives them their second Middlesex Freedom League title since 2014. Melrose’s overall record of 7-3-2 is one of the strongest they’ve finished in several years.
Melrose sealed the deal with a 39-33 victory over the Stoneham Spartans on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at Bellevue Golf Club. Among those taking wins were Will Pierce, Qiunn McCarthy, Jay Tucci, Will Goodwin and Tommy Brodeur. The victory was critical as Burlington and Stoneham both were breathing down Melrose’s neck in a wildly competitive Freedom League.
THE 2018 Freedom League champion golf team. (Donna Larsson photo) Pictured kneeling from left: Will Pierce, Tom Brodeur, Tim Healy, Sean Senier, Quinn McCarthy, Brian Healy. Standing: Matt Rocha, Ryan Foote, Will Goodwin, coach Rick McDermod, Abby Spencer, Jack Crowley, Jay Tucci and Patrick Coen. (Missing from photo: Zac McGuire.)
“This season the league was been as competitive as I’ve seen it,” said head coach Rick McDermod. “Stoneham was a well balanced team. I’m happy that we won the league and our goal was to qualify for States and that our seniors could get a taste of it. It’s been a great season.”
On Tuesday, the team traveled to Four Oaks Country Club in Dracut to take part in the Div. 2 North tournament. Representing Melrose were Will Pierce, Quinn McCarthy, Sean Senier, Will Goodwin, Tom Brodeur and Tim Healy. Out of 128 players competing, Josh Lavallee of Central Catholic swept the field with a score of 71. Melrose’s best score was an 81 by Will Pierce, good for 32nd place.
“The course was a bit testing and we could have played better on it,” said the coach. “But I told our underclassman to consider this a learning experience, and, for our seniors, a way to cap off their careers.”
Melrose says goodbye to seniors Jack Crowley, Ryan Foote, Will Goodwin, Pat Coen, Zach Maguire, Matt Rocha, Abby Spencer and Jay Tucci, who all get to say farewell as 2018 league champs.
