This fall will be a hard one to top, even for a team that was itself hard to top during the 2024 regular season.
The Manchester Essex golf team just completed one of its best seasons in recent memory, finishing up with a record of 12-2, just a hair behind rival Hamilton-Wenham for the top spot overall in the Cape Ann League. In a season filled with highlights, the Hornets’ 176-162 win over Newburyport on October 9 is one of the most impressive. Every Manchester Essex golfer scored 24 points or better to earn a rare win over one of the better golf programs on the North Shore.
“That was our biggest point total in a long time,” explains golf coach Bill Melvin. “Newburyport is a perennial Div. 2 power, to knock them off is a real big deal for our team. They are always a good golf team, so for us to beat them we must be playing well at the right time.”
One day later, the Hornets finished the regular season with a 169-137 win over Georgetown. Jack Lawler scored 32 points, team captain Gray West scored 30 and Matt DeOreo finished with 29 points.
“I’ll remember how this team continued to get better throughout the season and gained confidence,” explains Melvin. “They really stuck together when they went through a bit of adversity, regained their composure and finished the season strong. They have lots to be proud of.”
Lawler, West and DeOreo were set to join team captain Jack McCavanaugh, Graham Lewis and Jake Zschau for the state sectional tournament in Stowe on October 15, the team’s first foray into postseason play.
“Those are the six who are going to represent the Hornets based strictly on their scoring average for the season,” says Melvin. “All six are playing terrific right now. They have a chance to finish in the top three, and the top three advance to the divisional state finals at Foxboro Country Club.”
After the sectional meet, Lawler and DeOreo will compete on behalf of their team in the Cape Ann Cup on October 18. “They’re playing really well right now, and have just as good a chance as any of the other teams going,” says Melvin.
