October 26, 2024

Pope Francis Golf wins state tournament

REGIONAL
By Stephen Kiltonic

(IObserve photo/courtesy of Pope Francis Prep)

SPRINGFIELD – The Pope Francis Golf team clinched the state title Monday, Oct. 20, at the MIAA Division II state tournament held at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield. This was the first time the Pope Francis golf team won at a state title. Senior and captain Michael McGrath placed second overall.

Coming off their impressive 11 stroke victory in the Division II Western Mass championships, the Pope Francis Prep golf team headed into the state tournament with something to prove.  In two previous seasons, the Cardinals placed last, then eighth in the states, but competing against and beating division one teams during the regular season boosted the team’s confidence.

“We had a very deep team this year. All year long there were different players from one right down to our number eight to our number ten players who were contributing,” said golf coach John Anziano.

McGrath, who finished second in Western Mass, and senior Jack Dias were the top medalists during the season, but the success of this year’s team went far beyond two players.

“We have a lot of talent on the team. We’re a very good team but I would say that the thing that really pushed us over the edge was camaraderie. Like a lot of guys, especially in golf, play for themselves but for us it was, I’m playing for my teammate,” said Jack Dias. “You don’t want to be the guy that lets your team down.”

Despite an early eight stroke lead, the Cardinals had to hold off three closing eastern Mass teams to win their first state title.

“We kind of had the same philosophy that we had all year – one shot at a time,” said McGrath. “We knew we had the raw skill to win the tournament, it was just a matter of who was going to show up that day and play.”

At the end of regulation, McGrath was tied for first with one-under par, but lost in a one-hole playoff.   

“I already knew we won as a team. So, I kind of really wasn’t too upset. That kid came in as an individual. So, it’s like if I win that’s awesome, if not, I already have a trophy,” said McGrath.

Anziano said he was impressed with McGrath’s poise after the playoff hole.

“Hearing your player telling you that he doesn’t care that he wins as an individual in the playoff because he came here to play as a team and play for his teammates and we won as a team and that’s all that matters to him, that means more to me than actually winning the state title,” said Anziano. In his twenty years coaching,

Anziano can lay claim to five western Mass titles.

A video version of this story will air on Sunday’s edition of “Real to Reel” at 6:30 a.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.