Winning streak keeps them unbeaten in Freedom
Published October 11, 2019
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—A series of wins leaves the Melrose Red Raider golf team on the verge of clinching their second straight league title. Melrose is 4-0 in the Middlesex Freedom League and 6-2 overall after victories over Woburn, Belmont, Burlington and Wilmington. It was an eventful and winning week for Melrose, who can clinch a league title with a win over Watertown on Oct. 9.
The good times are rolling, and longtime coach Rick McDermod is enjoying it. “This is a team that can compete at the highest level,” he says. “We have great depth. Belmont was a challenge for us, but we love playing at home. It’s always an advantage for us.”
WILL PIERCE and the Red Raider golf team are on the cusp of clinching the league after a slew of wins. (file photo)
Of the four victories perhaps it was the Belmont win that Melrose will most savor. Played at Bellevue Golf Club in a tri-match with Woburn, Melrose battled rainy weather and earned victories behind the shooting of Will Pierce, Quinn McCarthy, Sean Senior, Tim Healy, Brian Healy, Tom Brodeur, Matt Lynch and Anthony DelGenio.
After being down by a few points, Melrose’s #6 shooter earned a critical win that swung the match in Melrose’s favor. “Tom Brodeur played the best round of his life,” reports his coach. “He beat his opponent by six.”
Melrose also had a whopping 55.5-15 victory over Woburn that day that saw 7 of the 8 Red Raiders win. They also earned a key league victory over Burlington, last week, 42-31. “This was a full team effort,” says McDermod. “Our top three are doing well but we’re also proud of the efforts of Matt Lynch and Anthony Delgenio. All around the roster has played impressive rounds of golf.”
With the distinct possibility that Melrose will win their second straight league title (a win over Watertown will clinch it) coach McDermod is aiming to go further than a North sectional appearance, which they’ve already qualified for. Only the top 3 teams from the North field get tapped for the Big Show, and there is no reason Melrose can’t be one of them.
“We’ve never been to States to compete as a team but I think it’s a possibility with this group,” says McDermod. “If they compete at their best, absolutely it can be done and they know this.”
Melrose’s final regular-season match is scheduled for Oct. 10 at Bellevue against Arlington.
Middlesex Freedom League Standings
Melrose 6-2
Wakefield 3-4
Burlington 4-6
Stoneham 2-7
Watertown 1-7
Wilmington 0-7
