St. Paul primed for strong run in Division 2 postseason

St. Paul’s has had an exceptional regular season and is now aiming for success in the Div. 2 Central Mass. Championship. Taking place at Maplegate CC in Bellingham on Tuesday, the team hopes to advance to the state championship at Thorny Lea in Brockton on Oct. 30.

Rob Riggieri has been the coach of the St. Paul’s golf team for eight seasons and has led the Knights to 10 victories out of 13 matches, with the three losses only totaling seven shots.

The team’s senior captains, Caroline Dubrey, Chris Palermo, and Robbie Reynolds, have all improved their nine-hole scoring averages from the previous year.

Last week, at Northern Spy, the Knights emerged victorious in the CMass Catholic Championship. Freshman Cam Swank secured the medalist position with a score of 78, while Palermo achieved a runner-up finish with a score of 79.

“We put in a lot of hard work during the summer, as well as during captains’ practices and tryouts. We knew we had a strong team. Last year, we qualified for the CMass tournament for the first time, and our goal was to make it back there again,” said Dubrey, who has committed to playing for the Assumption University women’s golf team next year.

Dubrey’s standout moment of the season occurred on Green Hill’s par-5 ninth hole, where she hit her second shot 210 yards with a five-wood, landing just short of the green. She then achieved a birdie after successfully getting up and down.

When it comes to professional golfers, Dubrey looks up to Justin Thomas, whom she had the opportunity to meet when she was younger, and LPGA star Nellie Korda. “I admire Nellie’s golf tempo,” said Dubrey.

Robbie Reynolds, who holds the No. 2 position in the lineup and averages 41, delivered an exceptional round of 38 at Oak Hill CC in Fitchburg. Reynolds has been part of the St. Paul’s team since his eighth grade year at Holy Name and has witnessed continuous improvement throughout each season. His favorite touring pro is Min Woo Lee.

Chris Palermo, the team’s No. 1 player with the lowest scoring average of 38, has received recognition from Riggieri for his composed and focused demeanor on the course. Palermo’s highlight of the season occurred at Oak Hill when he skillfully blasted a 150-yard shot from a fairway bunker and landed it within six feet of the pin.

“Both Chris and Robbie have consistently performed well, shooting in the high 30s or low 40s throughout the season. The next four players on the team have also maintained similar scoring averages,” said Riggieri.

The St. Paul’s starting lineup also includes Leyton Riendeau, a freshman, and Aiden Boyce, a sophomore. The 10-player squad is completed by Curtis Patrick, Charlie Gagin, Nick Feauccio, and Liam Carpenter.

—Contact Jay Gearan at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Boys’ golf: St. Paul primed for strong run in Division 2 postseason