THE MHS Golf team saw a post season this week with an appearance at the MIAA Sectionals. Pictured is the team (back row l-r) Miles Nzui, Dylan Harrison, Matt Fuccione, Noah Fay, Colin Fahey, Brendan Healy, Justin Santoriello, Roddy McGillicuddy. From row: Brendan Sestito, Jack Wright, Tyler Muse, Tanner Kovacs, Ben Kavanaugh and Aiden Ryan. They are pictured with coach Rick McDermod. (courtesy photo, Rebecca Interbartolo)
McGillicuddy advances to North Sectionals
By JENNIFER GENTILE
STOWE—That’s a wrap for the 2024 MHS golf team, who finished their season off with a league win and an individual appearance at the 2023 North Sectionals held at Stow Acres Country Club in Stowe, MA on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
Melrose senior captain Roddy McGillicuddy advanced to a post season and competed among dozens in the division at Sectionals. There he shot a 79, just 3 strokes shy of advancing to State finals.
“Roddy had a great day and was just shy of advancing, but it was a good finish to the season,” says Melrose head coach Rick McDermod.
Melrose officially wrapped up their 2023 fall season with a well-earned 41-21 win over Watertown on the road at Oakley Country Club last week. It was a true team effort, with all but one shooter taking a win or tie.
“Youth prevailed,” notes McDermod. “We brought a lot of our underclassmen to keep them prepared for future matches in Watertown. And they did great.”
McGillicuddy took a win in the first spot and in second and third, Noah Fay and Matt Fuccione both tied. Melrose also saw victories from Dylan Harrington, Aiden Ryan, Justin Santoriello, Tanner Kovacs, Ben Cavanaugh and a tie from Brendan Sestito.
As they wrap up this season, Melrose will lose six seniors: Miles Nzui, Jack Wright, Brendan Healy, Colin Fahey, captain Roddy McGillicuddy and Tyler Muse. They were a big part of the team’s last few years of league dominance, including their league titles. Looking back at this fall, the coach points to their hairpin win over Wakefield as a season highlight. “Picking up a win at Thomson Country Club is always a highlight and that was a really close match and a great team effort.”
“Overall, we had a lot of changes this season. The lineup moved around, we had some new players get into the game and make an impact, and we also had some consistent leadership at the top, like Brendan and Roddy. We will miss all our seniors.”
While the league title evaded Melrose this season, they enjoyed league wins and swept the Freedom League at the 2023 Middlesex League shoot out, thanks in part to Roddy McGillicuddy, who placed first. There were also winning moments from players like Noah Fay, Matt Fuccione and Dylan Harrington, who are all returning.
With that in mind, McDermod sees tons of potential in the future, particularly from his underclassmen, who all played so well against Watertown. “We have four kids who play at Bellevue and others who are ‘Hood rats’ and I suspect our upperclassmen will whip them in shape this summer,” he chuckles.