Teddy Murphy turns 89
Local golfing legend and instructor Teddy Murphy, of Haverhill, turned 89 years old on Monday.
Murphy owns Garrison Golf Center in Haverhill with his wife, Mary Murphy.
Among the great service they’ve made to the Merrimack Valley and local golfers, their 54-year run hosting the Eagle-Tribune Santa Fund Hole in One Contest ranks up there.
His son, Kevin Murphy, owns and runs Bradford Country Club.
Happy birthday, Teddy!
Lupoli signs with Arena team in Lowell
The Massachusetts Pirates signed defensive back Sal Lupoli Jr. for the 2025 season. A graduate of Chelmsford High and Phillips Andover, Lupoli Jr. was the all-time leader in tackles at Bentley University where he recorded 337.
In May of last season, Lupoli Jr. was signed by the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League as an undrafted free agent and invited to rookie minicamp. That came on the heels of an All-American season at the Division II level where the 5-10, 210-pound defensive back was the MVP of the Northeast-10 Conference.
In 2023, Lupoli Jr. led Div. 2 with 12.3 tackles per game while tying the Bentley single-season record with 123 tackles which included six sacks and 13 tackles for loss. The All-New England first-teamer was the first defensive player to be league MVP in 24 years.
Lupoli and the Pirates open the season on Fri., March 21 at 7:05 p.m. at the Tsongas Center.
Methuen’s Schena honored
Senior Ethan Schena, of Methuen, was recently named Little East Conference (LEC) men’s lacrosse Goalie of the Week.
Schena made a career-high 21 saves and added three ground balls in an 11-9 setback at Salve Regina in the season opener on Saturday. The Seahawks built up a 10-3 lead in the third quarter, but Schena and the PSU defense tightened up as the offense mounted a comeback to pull within one, 10-9, with four minutes to play.
Plymouth State (0-1) heads to Rivieron on Saturday for an 11:00 a.m. clash with the Raiders.
Kattar drops to No. 14, Font wins
While Calvin Kattar appears to have snared another nice payday, estimated at $215,000 in Saturday night’s loss to Youssef Zalal, he dropped four spots in the UFC Featherweight rankings.
Kattar lost a unanimous decision, losing the first two rounds and winning the last on all cards.
What the loss — his fourth straight — means for his future is a discussion for another day. It appears he is not ready to retire, though.
He remained in Las Vegas to support his New England Cartel teammate, Rob Font, who resides in Haverhill, who beat undefeated up-and-comer Jean Matsumoto, 25, in a co-main event.
Far Corner: Groundskeeper wanted
Far Corner Golf Club in Boxford has an opening for groundskeeper/course maintenance.
Send your resume to Tim Cosgrove at tscturf@gmail.com.
Legend Johnny Bucyk in Methuen
Former Boston Bruins great and Hockey Hall of Famer Johnny Bucyk will be signing autographs on Sun., March 2 at the Methuen Monthly Sports Card Show at VFW Hall on 26 River Street.
After tallying 30 points in 104 games with the Detroit Red Wings, he became a point-a-game player over the next 21 seasons with the Bruins (1,339 points in 1,436 games).
Bucyk has lived in the area since joining the Bruins in 1957.
The cost is $20 per autograph ($5 inscriptions). Photo ops are $5.
For more info go to www.cardshows.net or call Vic at 508-265-4440.