The Masco varsity golf team has been achieving amazing victories over the last month, with ten wins, one tie, and only one loss.
Tryouts had a big turn out this year, with 44 high school students competing for spots on the team. After five girls and 39 boys tried out for the team, 11 ended up on varsity and 13 on junior varsity.
“That was an incredible turnout, meaning the game is growing and our program is one that students want to be part of,” said Varsity Coach Hector Longo, who has been coaching for five years now.
“We are a traditionally strong program in the Northeast Conference, having won the League Championship in 2023 and finishing second last year, ” said Longo. “Also, last year we finished third as a team in Division 2 North, earning a spot at the Division 2 State Championships, where we finished 10th overall.”
This year Masco has welcomed four freshmen onto the varsity team: Charlotte Rollins, Henry Tissera, Hayes Maher, and Brendan O’Connor.
“The season is going great so far; we are undefeated,” said Rollins. “It is a good group of golfers and a really strong team, and we have a really good chance of making it far in States.”
Other new players are also enjoying their first year on the team.
“This season for jv golf has been really fun. The bus rides, range sessions, and matches have been fun,” said freshman JV player Seamus Cronin. “I’m very grateful for the coaches and everyone that made this team possible. It has been an amazing experience.”
The varsity team this season only has one more game left on October 16 against Beverly.
Junior varsity has only two more games left of the season against Newburyport and Marblehead.
The varsity team is led by senior Cole Velardo, one of the top players in the state.
“Cole won the Division 2 North Championship last year. He’s a four-year varsity starter, looking to play golf in college, says Longo.
There are five other seniors on varsity, but Velardo has been the top player the last two seasons.
The other four seniors on the team are Brendan Sheehan, Thomas Finn, Nolan Zamagni, Blake Ditchfield, and Drew Nelson.
In the number three slot is junior Cooper Wassung.
The varsity practices take place at Ferncroft Country Club, and junior varsity is at Paradise Golf.
This year the junior varsity and varsity teams are having a great start, and seem to have great luck this year and coming. Hopefully they will make it to states with the strong team assembled this season.