GolfNewsRI

The North Division might be one of the most interesting divisions in high school golf this season, at least on paper and at the outset of the season. 

Certainly Smithfield, North Smithfield and Cumberland would seem to be in the drivers seat of the division battle, based off of last season and who is returning this season. 

However, Burrillville will look to become a factor and Lincoln is on the rise. 

The second installment of the 2023 High School Golf Preview Series visits the North Division. 

Smithfield

The Smithfield Sentinels won the North Division last season led by the play of Liam Hickey and Jacob Turbitt, both of whom have graduated. 

However, Smithfield returns a good lineup led by seniors Samantha Tinsley and Domenic Simonelli. 

“The Sentinels expect to be competitive again this year in the northern Division,” said head coach Jim Parente. 

Tinsley came on as a rising star on the girls side last season, finishing sixth in the Girls High School State Championship. 

In matches last season, Tinsley posted a rounds anywhere from a 38 to 44, to help Smithfield pull away from the other teams in the division. 

Tinsley is a player to watch in the Girls State Championship, and also someone that Smithfield will look to for production. 

For his part, Simonelli played in the State Championship last season, but missed the second round cut after a 12-over 83 at Cranston Country Club. 

In last year’s regular season, Simonelli posted rounds in the high 30s (38-39) and then a few in the mid-40s. 

Sophomore Jackson Villani saw playing time as a freshman last season and for the most part played well for Smithfield. 

He consistently carded rounds in the low to mid 40s, with one blow up 54 on the season. 

Smithfield are the defending division champs, and they are poised to repeat. 

North Smithfield

The North Smithfield Northmen are coming off one of their most successful seasons in program history in 2022. 

The team qualified for the State Tournament for the first time in “at least the last 20 years,” according to head coach John Galoski. 

However, this season is a bit of a rebuilding year. 

“We had 8 seniors that graduated last year, including 4 seniors that regularly scored in our top 5 each match. That is certainly a big void to fill.  Going into this season we were looking at just 3 returning players; all Juniors,” said Galoski. 

The leader of the returners will be junior Josh Neves, who will take over the top spot. 

“Josh was vital in a number of our matches last season and he has both the skill and confidence to take over the #1 spot and get us off to a strong start in each match,” added Galoski. 

Neves was consistently in the low 40s in matches last season, even touched the high 30s at times. 

Other players that will need to contribute include junior Cooper Carlson and Nick Carufel.  

Both Carlson and Carufel carded scores in the 50s last season, but Galoski tells GolfNewsRI they have really worked on their games. 

North Smithfield will also carry six freshman this season. 

“The Freshman class has a lot of potential.  All of the Freshman have had moments where they have shined during practice.  The true challenge this season will be how quickly the underclassmen can adapt to the high school match format,” said Galoski. 

On the outlook of the team, Galoski concludes, “Our overall team success this season will depend on how quickly the new team members are able to get comfortable in a high school match format and how well those new players can settle into their roles on the team.  It should be an exciting year for the Northmen.  We may experience some growing pains early on, but the hope is that the experience of the upperclassmen will help bring along the new members quickly.” 

Cumberland

The Cumberland Clippers have made the State Championship each of the last couple of the seasons, including last year where they beat Ponaganset and Lincoln in a playoff to get in. 

This season, Cumberland returns six players from last years team, but only two of them have experience. 

Those two players are Johnny Walsh and Sam Medici. 

“I am looking to those two to set the bar for our team, and i’m hoping the kids who were on the team last year are ready to step in and play some good solid golf,” said head coach James Dickinson. 

This season, the Clippers also welcome their first girl to the team in Julia Nault. 

Nault has competed in local qualifying for the Drive, Chip and Putt competitions and Dickinson is looking forward to watching her grow and get better. 

Another player that Cumberland is looking for contributions from is David McGinn, as well as, other young players that will try to crack the lineup. 

Dickinson added, “Overall looking to see which kids are going to step up and play themselves into the matches. We have a competitive league and the kids all have a good chemistry together.” 

Best of Rest

Lincoln – The Lions barely missed out on a State Championship appearance last season, losing in a playoff to Cumberland. 

This season, Nick Maresca returns as coach after a one year hiatus, and they have a new home course – Lincoln Country Club. 

“Much improved team from last year, kids in practice are shooting some real good numbers,” said Maresca. 

He adds, “Moving to Lincoln will give us an advantage because the kids know the course better, but you still have to keep it in play and hit the greens.” 

The Lions will be led by Adamo Alfieri and Becket Cournoyer, while freshman Josh Bergeron could surprise some this season. 

“He is playing really well in practice, putting up some good scores,” Maresca adds. 

Maresca says that the Lions will be a real contender in a year or two.  

Burrillville – The Broncos come into the 2023 season with no seniors on the roster and five freshman.  

They will look for their four juniors to lead the way. 

“We’re a young motivated team with a lot of potential this year,” said head coach Craig Boucher. 

Junior Tanner Pincince and sophomore Dylan Franklin were both in the lineup pretty consistently last season. 

They both carded scores in the high 40s to mid-50s last season. 

The other teams in the division are Ponaganset, Mount St. Charles and St. Raphael.

Ponaganset will seek to move forward without Vinny and Gianna Papa, who are not playing high school golf this season.

St. Rays is in their second season as a golf team and will rely heavily on junior Nick Emery.

As GolfNewsRI reported last year, Emery is a big reason why St. Rays reinstated a golf team.

He will be a factor in the State Championship Tournament.

Mount will rely on the play of juniors Phillip Barrett, team captain Bryce Garthee and Patrick Fitzgibbbon.

There are no seniors or freshmen on the Mount roster.