2024 MIAA Division 1 Golf Sectionals: St. John's, Xaverian, St. John's Prep show Catholic Conference dominance; Minnechaug tops in West

St. John's High continued its dynasty in Division 1 Central Golf, winning a fifth consecutive sectional championship by capturing the 2024 MIAA title at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton.

It wasn't easy for the Pioneers, who shot 24-over as a team and slipped past runner-up Concord-Carlisle by 3 shots. Savar Bhasin was the key player for St. John's, shooting a 3-over 75 over Pleasant Valley's par-72 course to place in a three-way for third individually.

Liam Dunn sparkled in the individual competition, shooting an even-par 72 to earn medalist honors. Will Spring of Concord-Carlisle High School was second, 2 strokes back.

Spring's performance helped the Patriots to a +27 finish and one of the three spots, along with defending champion St. John's, in the Division 1 State Championship on Monday, October 21 at The Haven Country Club in Boylston. Shrewsbury High School, at +33, is the other team qualifier after placing third. 

But they were all chasing St. John's again. Joining Bhasir in the top four scoring spots for the Pioneers were Adam Trani (T-7, +4), Ronan Mooney (T-16, +8) and Cael Duggan (T-23, +9).

Division 1 South

Xaverian Brothers High School secured its third Division 1 South Golf championship in four years, taking home the 2024 hardware by easily outdistancing 2023 champion Wellesley High School on the Acushnet River Valley Golf Course.

Thomas Constantine and Michael McCormack each were part of a five-way tie for second place at 2-over-par 74 on the par-72 Blue course. That pack finished a stroke behind Chris Psaros of Braintree High School, who earned medalist honors with his 1-over par 73.

Constantine and McCormack teamed up with Connor Walsh (T-7, +3) and Chris Morrow (+11, +5) to give the Hawks a solid 12-over-par team score of 300. Wellesley, which was led by James Berger (T-2, +2), was 8 strokes back at +20.

Psaros's performance helped Braintree to the third and final spot in the Division 1 State Championship on Monday, October 21 at The Haven Country Club in Boylston. The Wamps were at +29 along with Hingham High School, but earned the final team spot on a match of cards.

Division 1 North

St. John's Prep made it three sectional championships for the Catholic Conference as the Eagles secured the 2024 MIAA Division 1 North title at Far Corner Golf Course in Boxford.

Tripp Hollister and Jack Carew each shot a 4-over-par 76 on the Far Corner track, carrying the Eagles to a +29 team score that was 3 strokes clear of yet another Catholic Conference opponent, Boston College High.

All was not lost for BC High, as Jay Sherwood was medalist with his 3-over 75, topping Hollister and Carew by 1 stroke. Teammate Danny Fearing was tied for fourth (+5) along with Andover High School's Jake Morgan.

As for St. John's Prep, it was a full team effort as Jack Moriarty was T-16 at +10, while Brian Loughlin, Seamus O'Holleran and AJ Bodnar all were in a pack at +11 and tied for 23.

Central Catholic (+36) was the third team qualifier for the Division 1 State Championship at The Haven CC.

Division 1 West

Minnechaug Regional High School placed three golfers in the top 12 finishers overall and outlasted the competition to win the 2024 MIAA Division 1 West Golf Championship at Chicopee Country Club.

With his 3-over-par 74, Shawn Amari of North Middlesex Regional High School was the medalist, edging past Brian Macintosh of Westfield High School by 1 stroke.

Ali Akwal of Minnechaug was third overall at +6, and was followed closely by Falcons teammates Ryan Giombetti (T-4, +7) and Ben Daniels (T-8, +8). Aidan McMinn and Seth Beebe each finished tied for 28th (+13) to account for the final scoring spot.

East Longmeadow High School (+38) and Longmeadow High School (+41) landed second and third, respectively, to advance to the Division 1 State Championship at The Haven CC. Longmeadow's Connor Henrey was in the T-4 group at +7 along with Giombetti, Evan Connery of Agawam High School and Dom DelNegro of Wachusett Regional High School.