Team preparing for annual Middlesex League shoot out
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High golf team earned three wins last week, one on Senior Day, to position themselves in a great spot as they prepare for next week’s annual Middlesex League Shootout at Bear Hill.
Melrose is 5-5 on the season and will send three shooters to represent Melrose at the league finals: Jack Burnham, Justin Santoriello and Colin Cote.
Last week, Melrose picked up two key wins over Burlington and Winchester, the first of which happened on Senior Day, held on Sept. 24 at Bellevue, as they honored their outgoing seniors: Jack Burnham, Aiden Ryan, Tanner Kovacs, Brendan Sestito, Ben Kavanaugh, and Damien Wittebole, who all got time on the green. Melrose took the win over the Red Devils 41.5-30.5.
Earning victories were all these seniors including Burnham in the No. 1 spot, 7-2. Ryan, Kovacs, Sestito also picked up convincing wins and alternates Kavanaugh and Wittebole impressed the coach with their own wins. “It was a great day, we definitely had the advantage and I was glad all my seniors contributed to the win,” says Melrose head coach Rick McDermod. Also taking wins were Colin Cote and Cole Mathews. Cote in particular is having a strong season for Melrose, as the freshman is 7-2-1 on the season, the best record on the team. “Colin is so committed to the sport. He’s a real student of the game, his chips and putts can be deadly.”
Just days later on Sept. 26, buoyed by the win, Melrose also defeated Winchester at Mt. Hood in Melrose, 44.5-27.5. Picking up wins were Jack Burnham, Justin Santoriello, Colin Cote, Cooper Kovacs, Aiden Ryan, Tanner Kovacs and Brendan Sesito. At press time Melrose had prevailed over Stoneham as well, 41-31, on Tuesday, Sept. 30 with limited information available.
McDermod is pleased at the large group effort of late and looks forward to their appearance at the annual Middlesex League Shoot Out, where they will send Jack Burnham, Justin Santoriello and Colin Cote to vie to top spots. Historically, Melrose does very well at the event, often taking home the Freedom Division trophy. They certainly have a chance once more, but will keep a cautious eye on Wakefield, who boasts one of the best players in the division. The shoot out will take place at Bear Hill on Tuesday, Oct. 7 starting at 8:00 a.m.
“We will do okay,” predicts the coach. “Wakefield and Arlington will both be tough. But if we can get a Freedom League title that would be great.”