GolfNewsRI

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Since GolfNewsRI started covering high school golf in 2021, the Central Division has always been one of the most interesting divisions in the state. 

That has only become more of the case with the rise of  reigning division champions Cranston West, the staying power of East Greenwich and Hendricken and now the rise of Pilgrim. 

“It’s a tough division so it was great to win it. I like our chances this year, the kids are working really hard and we are going to give it a run but these other teams are good as well,” said Cranston West Head Coach Stephen Hallas.

In 2025, the Central Division was one of two divisions (South) to get four teams into the State Championship Tournament at Cranston CC. 

Only 12 teams make the States, meaning the Central and South Divisions made up for more than half of the tournament. 

It could be more of the same for the Central Division this season. 

Cranston West

The Falcons won the Central Division last season with a record of 10-1-1, edging out East Greenwich by a game to advance to the State Championship. 

This season, Cranston West seeks a return trip to the State Championship and maybe another Division Crown. 

“Watching these kids develop and believe in themselves has been fun. They are a great group that has played together for a long time. I’m optimist going forward they can still get better,” Head Coach Stephen Hallas told GolfNewsRI. 

The Falcons will be led by senior Jack Marques, who has been a cornerstone of the program over the last few years. 

“I followed Jack when he was at Westin Hills, and without him this program is not where it is. I’m going to be sad to see him go,” said Hallas. 

Marques ranked inside the top ten in iWR last season and recently committed to Eastern Connecticut State for golf in the fall. 

The Falcons are also excited to welcome in freshman Kailer Louangxay, who has played in numerous Challenge Cup and other junior events. 

“Louangxay is going to be a competitor, it’s a great to see a Cranston kid stay in Cranston. He is going to start right away. I expect him to be at the top, if not this year, soon enough,” said Hallas. 

Last summer, Louangxay won the  U-14 Rhode Island Junior Amateur Championship at Pawtucket Country Club. 

Behind Marques and Louangxay, Hallas notes that junior Michael Farina, Andrew De Socio and Jagger Dion are also playing solid golf to start the season. 

Dion is currently hurt, but is expected to get a starting spot for the third straight year.

Dion finished 26th in iWR, and Farina 29th in iWR last season. 

Other players to watch include sophomore Ben Irons and senior Coby Howard. 

Hendricken

It has been a couple of years since Hendricken has captured the Division crown, but the Hawks will look to change that this season. 

In 2025, Hendricken went 9-3 to finish third in the divison and advance to the State Championship base on iWR. 

This season, there is plenty of optimism surrounding the Hendricken squad, particularly due to a star freshman. 

“The team is good, we have a nice new addition with Ray Rainville which is a boost to our team. We needed an A player and so that’s really nice. Especially since he is a freshman. He is going to be a massive help to our team,” said Head Coach Bobby Leopold. 

Rainville has played in the Rhode Island Junior Amateur in each of the last few years, and numerous Challenge Cup events. 

“From a competitive golf standpoint, he has a very impressive junior resume. Hopefully that experience will shine through,” said Leopold. 

Behind Rainville, the Hawks will be led by senior captain Griffin Cooper and vice captain Tiernan Leahy. 

“Tiiernan has worked his way up from JV which is very impressive.He has worked his ass off to put himself in a position to be in the starting lineup every time. Griffin has improved every year since he has been at Hendricken,” said Leopold. 

Cooper finished 25th in iWR last season, while Leahy finished 113th. 

One of the best stories in high school golf this season is the return of junior Sawyer VonFlatern to the Hendricken lineup. 

VonFlatern missed most of last year (both school and golf wise) due to illness, but is back on the roster and ready to go this year. 

“He was sick last year. He was great his freshman year for us, his sophomore year he didn’t play at all and was’t really at school much do to illness. I told him last year that whenever he was ready, I wasn’t going to give his spot away no matter what. I respect him, his relationship with the boys. He is very positive, very positive to be around despite everything he has been through,” said Leopold. 

Other players to watch include Joe Natale, Zach Fontenault and Will Cary.  

East Greenwich

The Avengers lost a close division battle to Cranston West in 2025, but still made it to the State Championship due to their iWR rankings. 

However, this season could look a little bit different for East Greenwich. 

“A lot will have to go right for us, as we don’t have the horses we usually have. As a coach I appreciate that more, I like having a lot of work to do. I’m up for the challenge,” said Head Coach Marc Brocato. 

EG will be led by junior captain Grayson Moore, who fired a 37 during a freezing cold practice earlier this month.  

Moore finished 34th in iWR last season and will look to build off that this season. 

Another returning starter will be junior Anthony Mazzeo, who finished 71st in iWR last season. 

Brocato notes that EG is “looking for good things out of him.” 

One player to watch is freshman Kai Han. 

“We did three-four outings at Topgolf and the kid can pound it. He is a little bit of a stallion,” said Brocato. 

Han has been posting rounds in the mid-40s in practice and will look to crack the lineup. 

Other notables include senior Tim Nuzum, who got in a few matches last year, and freshman Joey King. 

Best of the Rest

Pilgrim

The Pilgrim Patriots are coming off a fourth place finish int he Central Division last season and a berth in the State Championship Tournament based on their team iWR. 

In fact, they have finished inside the top ten in each of the last three seasons. 

This season, the Patriots return a senior laden roster led by Jackson Bromage, Michael Spooner and Michael Bessette. 

“Seniors laden roster is easier to coach, they have been playing golf since they were young, playing in challenge cup events. They know what it’s like to make a putt against EG or compete at States,” said Head Coach Owen Paquet. 

Spooner finished last season ranked sixth in the state in iWR, making him one of the top players in the state. 

Meanwhile, Bessette finished 17th in the state in iWR. 

Pilgrim will also look for contributions from senior Jacoby Foster, Ainsley Ottilige and Patrick Friel. 

Coventry 

The Oakers finished 4-8 last season and in fifth place in the Central Division. 

In 2026, they return a solid group of elder statesmen in hopes of building off of the 2025 season. 

Coventry will be led by senior Nate Crossman, who finished 37th in iWR last season. 

Fellow senior Matt Lavoie will look to build off a 2025 season in which he finished 115th in the state in iWR, while junior Luca Quattucci finished 154th. 

The other teams in the division are West Warwick and Toll Gate.