“What will be will be,” said Wakefield coach Chris Keane, “but I certainly enjoyed this format and will miss it.”

Under the current format, sectional tournaments serve as qualifiers for three state championship meets, with the top three teams in each of the Central, North, South and West sectionals earn spots in the state finals.

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While each team enters sectionals with the goal of cracking the top three and advancing to state, Keane and Wakefield learned just how meaningful a sectional title is when the Warriors captured the 2024 Division 2 North crown.

“It was the first time it had happened in the history of the school, so it was incredibly special,” said Keane. “I think sectionals were a fair way of parsing out schools based on their enrollment and location, so you felt like if you won it, you were the best in your area.”

For the first time in program history, Canton golf won a state title last fall, fending off the field at the Division 2 meet at Taconic Golf Course.Matty Wasserman

Although Canton didn’t feel the same regional pride when it won last year’s Division 2 North championship, Bulldogs coach Mike Barucci credits the sectional win for helping his team hoist the Division 2 state title a week later.

“I think we’re the southernmost North team,” said Barucci. “Not to say that we don’t want to win [at sectionals], but I don’t think there’s any extra motivation to say we’re the best against these teams we don’t see during the regular season.

“Winning that sectional last year was a huge factor in us winning the state championship. It gave the boys momentum and they knew that they could do it. They know they are good golfers, but to have that sectional before the finals really helped them on the mental side.”

Sectionals provided Seekonk junior standout Aidan Connell with a confidence boost last fall. After placing second at the Division 3 South final at Foxborough Country Club, Connell won the D3 state title with a 2-over-par 74 at Blissful Meadows.

“I feel like I proved myself last year and this [year] it’s more about continuing to compete and win rather than proving to myself I was good enough,” said Connell.

An individual competitor last fall, Connell is thrilled to compete alongside his teammates after Seekonk rallied from a 0-4 start to qualify as a team following five straight victories to close out the regular season.

“This is the first time we’ve made sectionals as a team in a long time,” Connell said. “I’m excited for the chance not only to win, but to compete with my team as a whole.”

Aarav Lavu would love to lead Wellesley to a Division 1 South sectional title as a senior. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Wellesley senior Aarav Lavu has a similar team-first mind-set after finishing one stroke behind Bay State Conference rival Alec Williams (Natick) at last year’s Division 1 South final at Acushnet River Valley.

“We spend our entire season dedicated to this one event and then hopefully leading to the state championship,” said Lavu. “I care for the individual Previewing the final sectional fall golf meets and what we’ll miss, but I think everyone really cares more about a team title.

“Wellesley has always had a really great team but [has] never been able to get the job done. So there’s a lot more motivation this year.”

Williams, now a senior at Natick, said winning last year’s sectional was extra special because it came against a stacked field he knew from years of battling during high school matches and summer tournaments.

“It’s nice to have the bragging rights when I see them because I do know them all, but it doesn’t motivate me to beat them more,” said Williams. “Our division is a great division. Xaverian is obviously a great school — probably No. 1 in the state — and Wellesley is great.

“Winning it meant a lot.”

In order for teams to win the state championship, they must first conquer their region one final time.

“There’s always a little extra being put [into sectionals] because it’s 18 holes and a big tournament,” said Old Rochester senior and reigning Division 3 South champion Jack Czerkowicz.

“It definitely gave me a boost of confidence knowing that I can hang with everyone and that ended up helping the team win. Going into this year with that same confidence will be helpful.”

After making par on the 12th hole, Old Rochester junior Jack Czerkowicz finished off his 4-over-par 76 to win medalist honors in the 2025 Division 3 South championship.Matty Wasserman

Sectional qualfiers, Monday — Division 1 North (Black Swan CC, 9 a.m.); D1 South (Thorny Lea GC, 10:30 a.m.); D1 Central (Kettle Brook GC, 10 a.m.); D1 West (Northern Spy GC, 10 a.m.); D2 West (Berkshire Hills CC, 10 a.m.).

Sectional qualifiers, Tuesday — D2 North (Bradford CC, 9 a.m.); D2 Central (Blissful Meadows GC, 9 a.m.); D3 North (Stow Acres/South Course, 9 a.m.); D3 South (Easton CC, 9 a.m.); D3 Central (Marlborough CC, 9 a.m.); D3 West (Ludlow CC, 10 a.m.).

Sectional qualifier, Wednesday — D2 South (Segregansett CC, 9 a.m.)

Joe Eachus can be reached at joseph.eachus@globe.com. Follow him @joeeachus_.