GolfNewsRI

For the second season in a row, GolfNewsRI begins the High School Division Previews in the North Division. 

Last season, the North Division did not have one team advance to the State Championship Tournament, but that will change this season. 

“It’s going to be a really competitive division just like last year. St. Rays still has Taraian who will be shooting par.  Burrillville is going to be good, Cumberland has a couple of key players, Smithfield was really solid top to bottom last year,” said Lincoln Head Coach Nick Maresca. 

St. Rays won the division last year with the lowest stroke average, but this year it will come down to match results. 

So who will rule the North? 

St. Rays

St. Rays won the division last year by a stroke over Smithfield, but did not make it into the State Championship. 

This season, the Saints will rely heavily on senior Zach Taraian to lead the squad. 

Taraian proved to be one of the best high school players in the state last season, ranking 11th in scoring average. 

“One through four we are good, after that it is a mystery. We have kids who are developing and learning how to play golf,” said Head Coach Steven Babiec. 

Other players to watch for this season include sophomores Anthony Boone and Jack Yucatonis as well as senior Nate Olson. 

An X factor for St. Rays is Daniel Vargas who coach says “has potential, but he runs hot and cold.” 

“I think we will be very competitive this year. Whether we win the division or not, I don’t know,” added Babiec. 

St. Rays relaunched their golf program in 2022 courtesy of former star player Nick Emery, as GolfNewsRI reported. 

Babiec says the program is continuing to grow three years later. 

“It’s all dependent upon kids coming into the school and kids that are golfers coming into the school. I think we will have a few more next year, we also have a female (Christina Baker) this year, she has a lot of talent and has gotten considerably better. The program is evolving, it’s getting better. We should be in half way decent shape.” 

St. Rays continues to be a great story in high school golf. 

Lincoln

The Lions come into the 2025 season with eyes on a Division title and more after finishing 16th in the state last year. 

“We have a really good squad. I think the next three to four years, we are going to be a really competitive team in the state, looking really solid this year,” said Head Coach Nick Maresca. 

Lincoln will be led by seniors Adam Alfieri, Hugh Sousa and Lucas Donfrancesco. 

Alfieri ranked 83rd in the state for scoring average last season. 

One of the keys for Lincoln in 2025 is the sophomore class, starting with Luke Cavanaugh. 

As a freshman, Cavanaugh ranked 38th in the state in scoring average last season and will look to build on that this year. 

“Luke leads a really solid sophomore crew. These guys are the key to this team’s success. We have seniors that are going to play in a good amount of matches, but these guys are the key to the future,” added Maresca. 

Other sophomores on the roster include Evan Lewis, Sean Carroll, Katherine Goolgasian and Samantha Iacobucci. 

Maresca notes that freshman Dennis Lawson is going to play a role, as well as, the four girls who will compete for spots. 

Overall, Lincoln has 16 players on the roster and a number of options to go with on any given day. 

“This is the first time I have had a team that won’t be the same six players every week. Guys are gonna compete for spots,” Maresca notes. 

The Lions look to be in good shape in the now, and in the future. 

Smithfield

The Smithfield Sentinels are another team that will be eyeing a North Division title this season. 

“We return all but one  golfer from last year’s Coaches Association Championship team,” said Head Coach Jim Parente. 

This year the Sentinels will be led by seniors- Jack Hannigan, Troy Stockwell, Jackson Villani and Matthew Bradley. 

Hannigan was ranked 43rd in scoring average last season, Stockwell ranked 79th, Villani ranked 115th and Bradley 162. 

 “All four are capable of posting low scores,” adds Parente. 

Junior Christian Snowman and sophomore John Rinaldi will provide a boost to the Smithfield team.

As a freshman, Rinaldi ranked 109th in scoring average. 

According to Parente, newcomers who have shown promise in the few practice rounds include Anthony Lentin, Noah Antunes, Cody Trost , Mathew Hannigan and Nathan Cameron.

Other players who will play key roles include Noah Allard, Tommy Dexter, Tyler Guilfoyle and Cole Capprood. 

North Smithfield

The Northmen enter the 2025 season in a bit of a rebuild this season after finishing 26th in the state last year. 

However, it is not your average rebuild with freshman and sophomores, North Smithfield will be looking to a large group of juniors to move the program forward. 

“It’s a transition year for us, we had four seniors last year. We have a huge group of juniors that are excited to get into the matches,” said Head Coach John Galoski. 

Leading the squad will be junior Declan St. Vincent, who will be in one of the top two spots every week. 

Junior Owen O’Reilly and Zach Berghammer will also be vying for top spots, as well as, senior jac Nardowy. 

“Nardowy or Berghammer could take a leap into the top two or three this season,” said Galoski. 

Also watch out for freshmen Cameron Fleury, and Max Haus, who is playing golf and lacrosse at the same time this season. 

Best of the Rest

Burrillville – The Broncos finished in 22nd last season based on stroke average (iWR), but this year they are returning a veteran squad. 

Burrillville will be led by three seniors in Dylan Franklin, Pat Murphy and Gavin Travis, but will also seek contributions from juniors Rodney Frenette, Ethan Withington and Dylan Lafleur. 

“All seven of our returning players averaged in the mid to low 40’s last year so we should be in the running to have a great season,” said Head Coach Craig Boucher. 

Franklin and Frenette ranked 112th and 128th in stroke average last season, while Ethan Withington ranked 132nd. 

Cumberland – The Clippers ranked as the 15th best team in the state last season based on scoring average, missing out on the State Championship. 

This season, the Clippers return a veteran crew led by senior Sam Medici. 

Medici ranked 46th in the state in scoring average last season and was one of only two Clippers (Ryan Ward) inside the top 100. 

On the girls side, junior Julia Nault will be someone to keep an eye on this season. 

Among women, Nault had the 11th best scoring average in the state last season and will look to build on that this year. 

Other players to watch are seniors Cody St. Pierre, Andrew Dalle and Joshua Murray. 

The other team in the division is Ponaganset.