2024 SALEM NEWS GOLFER OF THE YEAR
MARTY RYAN
Marblehead Senior
Marty Ryan likes to belief in the credo of professional golfer Justin Thomas, feeling that no matter where you’re at in your game, you can always turn it around and compete as long as you have self-believe.
Ryan certainly has that. The Northeastern Conference’s Player of the Year as chosen by the league coaches this fall, he played with confidence and skill while facing off against the top player on every team the Magicians faced. The captain and All-Conference selection went 9-4-2 in his individual matches while holding a stroke average of 36.9. He was match medalist in eight of those matches.
Ryan earned 58 percent of his possible points won and, along with teammate (and fellow Salem News all-star) Jacob Hershfield combined to capture the NEC Open. Individually, finished in a tie for second place at the same event.
The 5-foot-8, 150-pounder could power drives down the fairway, use touch and spin on shots closer to the pin, and is excellent on the greens. His best round of the fall came when he shot a 2 under par 34; he also guided Marblehead to another Tedesco Cup triumph over arch rival Swampscott.
Ryan, who led Marblehead to a second place finish (11-2) in conference play and a 12-4 overall record as its No. 1 golfer, is looking to study finance in college.
THE ALL-STARS
ANTHONY BARROR
Beverly Sophomore
Quite accomplished with the putter, the 10th grader used his ups and downs to win or tie many matches for the Northeastern Conference champions this fall … Chosen as All-Conference by the league coaches … Shot 1-under par 34 in final match of the regular season to clinch the league title for his Panthers … Also an ice hockey center and lacrosse attackman at Beverly High … Would love to play college golf down South … Dad Billy has been his biggest influence.
AJ BODNAR
St. John’s Prep Sophomore
Wrapped up a terrific 10th grade season by finishing in a tie for ninth place (4 over par) at the Division 1 state tournament, shooting a 76 at The Haven Country Club in Boylston … Runner-up at the Catholic Conference championships after firing a 69 … Had a scoring average of 37.2 for the Eagles … Excellent student carries a 4.25 grade point average … Hopes to play Division 1 college golf … Inspired by Tiger Woods, his strong work ethic and ability to never give up.
LUCAS CARBONE
Beverly Senior
Senior captain won 13 of his 15 matches to guide the Orange-and-Black to a league championship … Wound up with a scoring average of 39.3 … Shot a 1-over par 36 in decisive match vs. Marblehead to help BHS claim the Northeastern Conference crown … NEC all-star … Plans on studying business management in college … Said his father always taught him to work as hard as possible in anything that he does.
JACK CAREW
St. John’s Prep Junior
Six-footer from Newbury took second place at the Division 1 North sectional tournament … Hit 82 greens in regulation this autumn, good for a 65 percent success rate … Tied with teammate and fellow all-star Tripp Hollister with a 4-over par 76 at the Division 1 North sectional at Far Corner to help Eagles win the crown … Plays out of Ipswich Country Club … Shot a 72-72 — 144 at Massachusetts Junior Amateur this past summer in Yarmouth … Terrific in the classroom as well with a 4.1 GPA … Wants to play college golf.
BRYCE CLARK
Danvers Senior
Falcons’ captain and No. 1 player was unbeaten in match play at the team’s home course, Ferncroft CC … Had 37.8 scoring average … Team MVP … All-Northeastern Conference … Used his 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame to drive the ball long distances … State final individual qualifier … Made a quad-bogey (7) on par 3 third hole at State Sectionals in Brookline, but shook it off and wound up shooting 78 for the round to tie for fifth place in a field of 95 … Has 93 average in classroom and wants to major in finance in college … Dad has been his biggest influence, having taught him everything he knows about being a good teammate and leader.
SHEA CHRISTEL
Salem Junior
The Witches’ most consistent performer this season was chosen as a Northeastern Conference all-star … Picked up 7.5-1.5 victory against Revere … Also turned in a 7-2 win against Saugus … Represented the Witches at the NEC Open … Also played well in pressure matches with excellent Beverly, Swampscott and Masconomet teams … Also excels for the Witches baseball team, helping the squad reach the Final Four last spring.
JACOB HERSHFIELD
Marblehead Senior
Fired a 4 under par 31 at Mt. Hood vs. Malden Catholic to tie the course record there on the front nine … Captured NEC Open team title along with fellow all-star Marty Ryan … Shot a 1 under par 33 at Tedesco in final match of the season vs. Swampscott … Finished with a per match stroke average of 37.5 … Went 11-1-3 in individual matches … Won 61 percent of the holes he played … League all-star … Hopes to get into professional golf management or play college golf while studying sports management.
TRIPP HOLLISTER
St. John’s Prep Senior
Captain played his best when it mattered most, earning top four finishes at the Cape Cod High School Invitational, Division 1 sectionals and Division 1 state tournament … Fired a 75 at The Haven Country Club in Boylston in the state finals, allowing St. John’s Prep to place third as a team … His 4-over par 76 at Far Corner in West Boxford enabled the Eagles to capture the Division 1 North sectional … Will golf at Division 1 Bryant University … Carries a 3.96 GPA … Biggest influence is Xander Schauffele because of how persistent he is on the course.
NICK MCFADDEN
Bishop Fenwick Sophomore
Catholic Central League all-star authored a top ten finish at the Division 2 North sectional, carding an 80 at Brookline to finish in ninth place … Shot an 88 at the Division 2 state championship … Best round of the season was a 2-under 34 against Beverly … Stoneham native is also a baseball player for the Crusaders.
CAMERON MCINTOSH
Hamilton-Wenham Junior
Cape Ann League all-star averaged 28.5 points per match to help the Generals to an outstanding season on the links … Scored 51 at the CAL Open … High score on the season in dual matches was 38 points, the highest of any H-W player … That score was courtesy of a 1-under round at Rowley Country Club … Was medalist for Hamilton-Wenham in two matches … Carded an 89 at the Division 3 North sectional to help the Generals finish in fourth place … Grateful to his dad for introducing him to golf and teaching him all about the game.
COOPER MILLER
Hamilton-Wenham Senior
Named Cape Ann League Baker Player of the Year … Amassed 60 points in the CAL Open at Far Corner … Captained Generals to CAL Baker title … Shot 84 and tied for 15th at Division 3 North sectionals at Stow Acres … Repeat Salem News all-star averaged 31.7 points per match … High point score for the season was 36 and posted 35 on two other occasions … Topped 30 points in a match eight times … Four-year standout is a two-time first-team CAL all-star.
COLIN MURRAY
Essex Tech Senior
Beverly native was chosen as All-Cape Ann League for his play on the links this season … The 6-foot-1, 200-pound team captain finished in sixth place overall in the Massachusetts State Vocational Tournament, leading Essex Tech to a sixth place team showing … Most Valuable Player winner for the Hawks … Carries a 3.1 GPA … Wants to study construction management or business in college … Said his father is the player he is today and inspires him to be better in all that he does.
SEAMUS O’HOLLERAN
St. John’s Prep Sophomore
Finished second out of 97 golfers at the MIAA Division 1 state championship by shooting a 74, helping his team finish third overall … Hamilton resident finished the season with a scoring average of 36.4 … Chosen as Eagles’ Most Valuable Player … Best rund was a minus-2 33 … Had lowest scoring average on the team … Took part in the New England Golf championships for top players from around the six-state region … Also a power forward for the SJP hoop team and a midfielder for the state champion lacrosse squad … Excels academically with 4.38 GPA … Hopes to play Division 1 golf … Siblings Conor and Brendan have been his biggest athletic influences.
TYLER OSTROFF
Swampscott Freshman
Grabbed a Northeastern Conference all-star nod with a dynamite debut season … Posted a 7-3-4 record during the dual meet season … Average score was 38 … Swampscott’s team Most Valuable Player … Qualified for Division 3 North sectionals as an individual and shot at 83, good for 12th place among 57 qualifiers … Represented the Big Blue at the NEC Open, combing with Mike Collins for a +32 (fifth) … Shot an even par 35 against Saugus … Looks up to golf great Tiger Woods.
WILL RYAN
Beverly Senior
Six-foot-1 Panther captain tied for 13th place at the Division 1 North sectional with an 80 … Selected to the All-Northeastern Conference team … Best round of the season was when he shot even par at Beverly Golf & Tennis to tie his match vs. Masconomet … Also plays basketball for the Orange-and-Black … Ranked fifth in his senior class with outstanding 4.76 GPA … Likely headed South for college to play club golf … Takes a lot from former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, particularly his character and the way he talks about success.
BRENDAN SHEEHAN
Masconomet Junior
Northeastern Conference All-League pick helped the Chieftains reach the Division 2 state championship as a team … Averaged 38.2 score during the regular season with an average score (by hole) of 6.32-2.68 … Went 12-1-1 during the dual meet season … Low score for the year was 34 … Shot below 40 in 11 of 14 bouts … Ranked in the top 25 at Division 2 North sectional tournament … Boxford native also plays hockey and looks up to Martin St. Louis for his inspiring work ethic.
COLE VELARDO
Masconomet Junior
Division 2 North sectional champion shot a 74 in windy conditions at Brookline to not only take the medal but deliver the Chieftains a spot in the state championship … Northeastern Conference All-Conference pick is also a repeat Salem News all-star … Masconomet’s team MVP … Shot 77 (17th) at D2 state finals at Berkshire Hills … Consistent performer in the top spot helped Masconomet to an 11-3 regular season … Middleton native is grateful to his dad for always pushing him to be his best.
PARKER WASSUNG
Masconomet Senior
Three-sport standout from Boxford held down the No. 2 spot in the Chieftain line-up … Named a Northeastern Conference all-star … Shot two eagles on the season … Carried a .500 average in his matches against tough opponents … Shot an 87 to help Masconomet advance at the Division 2 North sectional and followed it up with an 86 at states … Low score on the year was a 38 … Hopes to attend Fairfield to study business and finance … Grateful to his instructor Marc Spencer.
CONNOR WRIGHT
Ipswich Junior
Finished the season with 459 points, averaging 29 points per match … Team’s No. 1 player consistently finished with the most points … Six-footer earned Cape Ann League all-star honors for the third consecutive season on the links … Had his first ever under par round (one under) at Ipswich Country Club … Three season standout also runs winter track and plays goalie for the Tigers’ lacrosse team … Wants to play golf in college while majoring in business … Undersized Heisman Trophy winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith of Alabama, now of the Philadelphia Eagles, has always inspired him.
HONORABLE MENTION
Beverly: Thomas Simeone, Sr.; Drew Murphy, Jr.; Henry Robinson, Jr.
Bishop Fenwick: Vincent Finocchio, Jr.; Kathryn Johnson, Sr.
Danvers: Connor Harvey, Sr.; Tommy Surette, Soph.
Essex Tech: Aidan Rotundo, Sr.
Hamilton-Wenham: Reid Faldi, Soph.; Liam Berrigan, Fr.; Logan Guittarr, Jr.; Grayson Minich, Jr.
Ipswich: Samir Harb, Sr.; Louis Harrington, Jr.
Marblehead: Tyler Forbes, Soph.; James Bickell, Sr.
Masconomet: Cooper Wassung, Soph.
Peabody: Mason Clickstein, Sr.; Tristan Joyce, Jr.
Salem: Maddox Dion, 8th grade; Alyson Gill, Soph.; Chris Hanson, Jr.; Matthew Kenney, Soph; Barbara Rowley, Sr.
St. John’s Prep: Brian Loughlin, Sr.; Jack Moriarty, Jr.
Swampscott: Mike Collins, Jr.