The Recorder – H.S. Golf: Franklin County tabs All-League picks

Franklin County released its list of All-League high school golf selections this week, and 16 local golfers were named to the team. 

Frontier led the way with four players on the team, as Mikey Corduff, Kyle Maynard, Gunnar Moore and Rowan Blair were all selected. 

“In a shortened season, the kids worked hard even though they didn’t have anything to work for,” Red Hawk coach Bill Fitzpatrick said. “They still worked hard and competed each and every day. You would have thought the kids would be disappointed but they were so happy to be out playing. It would have been great to play in tournament, but to compete against their friends was a great thing as well.” 

Corduff has been a steady presence at the top of the Frontier lineup for years and was an easy selection for this list. Blair was a surprise for Fitzpatrick, as he started the season shooting in the mid-to-high 40’s but steadily improved and by the end of the season was down to shooting around a 40.

Maynard’s consistency is what Fitzpatrick said he appreciates most. Some top golfers can fluctuate with their scores, going from having one spectacular day to a down day the next time they’re out there, but that wasn’t the case for the senior. 

“Kyle’s a steady golfer,” Fitzpatrick said. “That’s what I like about him. He doesn’t have high scores but he doesn’t go low, either. He’s always right around par. He’ll throw a birdie in here and there but he’s so steady. That’s what he was all year long for us.” 

Fitzpatrick said Moore has major potential. The freshman was the Div. 2 champion at the WMass High School Golf Invitational at the Country Club of Greenfield this year and continues to improve. 

“He is going to be a star,” Fitzpatrick said. “I drove to the course with him one day and I told him ‘I would put your wedge game up against anybody in Western Mass.’ He’s going to be deadly. I think he has the potential to to be a pro one day.”

Anthony Zager, Alex Sulda and Brady Booska were all named to the team from Franklin Tech, which had the second-most players on the list with three. The trio consistently shot in the mid-to-low 40’s throughout the season. 

Ryan Cote and Gabe Mota made the team from Greenfield, with Cote having a spectacular season for the Wave. 

The senior closed out his season on a high note, competing in the National High School Golf Association’s State Tournament in November, the unofficial state tournament this season without an MIAA tournament. Cote finished tied for sixth place overall among the 104 golfers competing, qualifying for the 2021 National High School Golf Invitational in June, played at the famed Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. 

Owen Willhite and Quentin Polana were selected from Athol, with two Pioneer golfers — Jalen McGraw and Ethan Quinn — also selected to the Franklin County All-League squad. 

Andrew Finch of Mahar, Ben Thompson of Mohawk Trail and Joey Mosca of Turners were all honored with selections, each serving as their respective squads No. 1 players all season long. 

Hopkins Academy, which competed in the Franklin County League this year, saw Connor Asselin and Cody West selected.