SHORT PAR-5 … With Methuen’s Ryan McKinnon
1 — So Ryan, you’re a senior, and this is a busy time. What’s the college plan?
“I want to go to Florida Golf Coast University to study in their PGA Golf Management degree program. I’ve been involved in the golf community for a long time. I love golf, and my sister, Grace, just graduated from FGCU. I want to be a part of that.”
2 — What is the best thing about playing high school golf?
“I’m a big people person, and I got a lot of my friends to join the team, and that’s probably why we have 11 seniors. I just love the feeling of getting out of school after a long day and just playing a round with your friends. It’s the best.”
3 — What is your favorite hole outside of the Rangers’ home course at Merrimack?
“The par-4 seventh hole at Bradford Country Club. You have two plays off the tee. Either go left on the fairway or crossover the creek with the driver and go for the green. I’m a gambler, I always go for the green. It’s a good birdie hole for me.”
4 — OK, Ryan, you call yourself a foodie, too. I’m stuck in Methuen, and I need to get a meal. What should I do?
“I would go to Borrelli’s Deli (in the Valley). They have a sandwich called the Neapolitan. It’s got prosciutto, a chicken cutlet, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and I think a little pesto. It’s the best.”
5 — And finally, the Ranger footballers have a big one Friday night at Andover. Who do you like?
“I was talking to one of my friends on the O-line, John Czachor, and he says Andover’s tough. It’s going to be a good one. I think it’s going to be one-possession game. I’m looking forward to it. Rangers win 42-34.”
They Said It
“Andover is a huge match for us because we are going into it 10-0 in the MVC. If we win, it should secure the MVC (championship) for us. The whole team is dialed in and ready to play them at Renaissance.”
— Central Catholic’s Chase Akstin on next Thursday’s (Oct. 10) rematch with rival Andover High. The Raiders took the first matchup, 10.5-9.5, in a thriller on their home turf at Atkinson CC.
Tourney Madness
Golf is the earliest of seasons to wrap up in the fall.
Here’s a look at the major events coming up:
NH Girls State Championship: Saturday, October 5, 7:30 a.m., at Campbell’s Scottish Highlands GC, Salem.
NH Division I Team Championship: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m., at Canterbury Woods Golf Club.
NH Division II Team Championship: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m., at Windham Country Club.
Mass. Division 1 North Sectional: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 9 a.m., at Far Corner GC, Boxford.
Mass. Division 2 North Sectional: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 9 a.m., at Brookline Golf Course.
NH Division III Team Championship: Thursday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m., at Rochester CC.
NH Boys Individual State Championship: Saturday, Oct. 19, at Beaver Meadow GC, Concord.
Mass. Division 1 State Championship: Monday, Oct. 21, at The Haven CC, Boylston.
Mass. Division 2 State Championship: Monday, Oct. 21, at Berkshire Hills CC, Pittsfield.
Chips and Putts: Windham handling step up with ease
There is an avalanche of tradition building under Chris Corey with the Windham High golf program. Back to back Division II state titles helped prompt Windham’s bump up to Division I this fall, and the Jaguars have met the challenge head on.
Through Monday’s tough split with Concord and Salem, Windham is 13-3 overall.
“We’ve been playing well. We have six seniors but we came in a little inexperienced,” said Corey, who noted that the Jaguars scores at last year’s D-II state meet would have won in D-I.
Of course, it’s great to have a foundational piece like three-year starter and returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star, Thomas Manning.
“You can always expect a good score from him,” said Corey of the junior Manning. “Each year, he gets exponentially better.”
Another Jag to watch is Ethan Peluso, who carded a 36 on Monday at Scottish Highlands. The sophomore looks like a budding star.
But can Windham get the job done against the top dogs in D-I when it matters most?
The Jags scored 189 to Concord’s 188, and the Tide is right there at the top of the heap with a 21-2 record to date.
“It’s a one-day tournament. If we show up and have a good day, for sure,” said Corey.
Astros, Devils in hunt
Both Pinkerton Academy (11-9) and Salem (7-8) are right there in the chase for one of the eight spots in the D-I state championship.
Salem’s resurgence is inspiring.
“We’re having a strong year,” said coach Stephen Sylvain. “The kids have played great but we have seen a lot of really tough matchups.”
Monday’s home match with defending D-II champ Windham (189) and D-I champ Concord (188) was a prime example. The Blue Devils posted a 196, a number that would win a ton of matches, for sure.
Logan Smith (40.3), Lincoln Freitas (40.3), Jakob Robblee (42), James Houghton (41.3) and Tyler Pizzano (41.6) have led Salem this fall.
For Pinkerton, Brady Cuneo has been the most consistent player, hitting the team’s top five on six of seven days.
Tyler Morin, Johnny Barbarossa and EJ Baker have been there five times, while Connor Urnek has earned team medalist honors in two of the last three with a 38 at Windham and 37 at Hoodkroft.
MVC showdown looms
Central Catholic, unbeaten in the MVC and 10-1 overall, likely won’t have a chance to lock down the league title completely until the regular season finale on October 10 vs. Andover at Renaissance. The Warriors will be gunning for their share of the league title.
For Central, the power starts at the top where the Raiders top four have combined to go 26-8-1 in matches.
Harry Garland (6-3), Alex Barnard (7-2), Chase Akstin (6-2-1) and Liam Vena (7-1) are the Raiders’ Fab Four.
Garland’s scoring average on the year is exactly even par 36.
Checking in on the Valley
Andover, which has depth in returning MVC All-Stars like Lucas Jenney, Jake Morgan and Brady Maggio, has locked down a spot in the Division 1 North sectional.
North Andover, behind Dylan Lawrence, Tyler Fawaz, Brendan Burke and Co. are pointed to the postseason as well.
One team to watch battle down the stretch is Haverhill, now 3-5 but hanging tough in a rebuilding year as it chases .500.
“We’ve got some work to do,” said coach Kevin Murphy.
Leading the way at the No. 1 spot is junior Tommy Murphy at 4-3. No. 2 Pat McGowan is 3-3-1, and No. 3 Jack Baker owns a 4-2-1 record.