Published in the September 6, 2017 edition
WMHS GOLF will field 10 varsity and 10 JV golfers for the 2017 season. Second-year head coach Chris Keane (center) will try to guide the team to another state tournament appearance. (Donna Larsson File Photo)
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — Second-year WMHS golf head coach Chris Keane worked hard last year to create a JV team so that the rapidly growing interest in the sport could allow student-athletes of all abilities to work on their game. With 10 golfers on varsity, that would mean coach Keane would have to find at least eight to field a JV team again this year.
He didn’t have to look very far.
35 Warriors tried out for the golf team, creating a new obstacle that Keane and WMHS Athletic Director Brendan Kent had to hurdle.
“It’s bad because the whole reason we started JV was so we wouldn’t have to cut people, but with golf there is no way to accommodate that many so coach Keane did have to cut it down to 20 but it’s a good problem to have,” said Kent.
Warrior golf is coming off a 9-7-1 season in Keane’s first year, and will look to continue to build the program for the future.
Four of the top ten varsity golfers return this season, including Juliette Guanci, Tom Galvin, Ty Drago and Matt Auld, but coach Keane is excited about the crop of newcomers who will work on fundamentals this year, including sophomore Chris Coombs who put in work with both varsity and JV last year.
Keane is also counting on the youngest Warriors to help varsity.
“The freshmen are very skilled and have been playing all summer,” said Keane. “I expect them to have an immediate impact on varsity.”
The three freshman that will round out the top eight for the varsity include Jack Ryan, Calvin Ryder and Oliver Miller.
The Warriors will have to overcome a difficult injury to one of their top returners in Jake Nardone who will miss the season while he rehabs a torn labrum to get ready for the baseball season.
“That will be a big loss, he is a really good golfer,” said Kent.
“Jake is still going to be a factor, just off the course,” added Keane, who expects the senior leader to be at the links helping the team and giving tips to the younger players.
Since their record last year was over .500 the Warriors made the state tournament, something they would love to repeat this year, although coach Keane does not see that as a requirement for a successful season.
“I think getting back to the state tournament is a good goal for us, but this season is also about getting the younger kids experience,” said Keane.
The MIAA match play format has each team pick their top eight golfers and play head-to-head. Each player to win the hole gets a point, and a tie gets a half point. So while the team will certainly do their best to attack the pins, the coaching staff is more focused on teaching points to help continue to build the program.
“Our expectation is to have our team work on developing strategies for the match play format so we can continue to contend in future years,” said Keane.
