Pierce, Melrose emerge as Freedom champs
Published October 2, 2019
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—Last season, Melrose enjoyed a league winning season and an appearance at MIAA North Sectionals. This season they are showing signs of repeating that feat. Certainly, their effort at the 2019 Middlesex League Shootout held last Thursday at Bear Hill Country Club in Stoneham was proof of that.
Melrose standout Will Pierce shot an even-par of 71 to take place first in Freedom League, which helped catapult Melrose to the top of all Freedom League teams with 235 points and a league trophy. Melrose sent three golfers to the event, Quinn McCarthy, Will Pierce and Sean Senior, and the trio helped Melrose edge closest rival Wakefield, 235-237.
COACH RICK McDermod poses with Quinn McCarthy (left) Sean Senior (center) and Will Pierce (right) as they celebrated Melrose taking the Freedom title at the ML Shootout. Pierce topped the pack in the Freedom League. (courtesy photo)
Melrose coach Rick McDermod saluted their effort. “It’s been a while since we took this event and the kids are excited.” He also noted the perfect green conditions and weather. “There was some great golf here today and some good numbers.”
On the Middlesex Large side, Trevor Lopez and his Winchester golf team helped secure a win in the Liberty division.
Melrose remains 2-0 in the Freedom league after defeating Wakefield 44-28 last Friday at the Mt. Hood Golf course. Melrose swept Wakefield in the top 8 spots. Taking wins were Will Pierce, Quinn McCarthy, Sean Senior, Tim Healy, Brian Healy, Tom Brodeur, Matt Lynch and Anthony DelGenio.
“Let me tell you, depth makes a different,” said McDermod. “Some of our best wins have been coming from our 7th and 8th spots. Wakefield is a good team, and it was a competitive match, but we just slowly pulled away when we needed to.”
Melrose will need a couple more Freedom wins to repeat their league title. They get that chance when they face Wilmington and Burlington on Thursday and Friday of this week. Things are moving fast for this team, who finish their regular season schedule on Oct. 10 at home against Arlington at Bellevue Country Club.
“They know if they want to compete in a postseason,” says the coach about this team. “That can happen if we replicate recent winning efforts and also give a little more. This team got a taste of states last year. This year, they want to get there and really make a go of it.”
