Wakefield senior Patrick Maloney won the Division 2 title at Franklin Country Club in a four-hole playoff.TREVOR HASS
That’s exactly what happened, as Maloney pumped his fist, shook hands with Moulton, then pounded his chest three times as his teammates showered him with love.
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After coming tantalizingly close as a team and taking second to Norton, Maloney (1-over 72) was relieved to bring some additional hardware back to Wakefield. He had his teammates in mind as he persevered through a mesmerizing four-hole playoff for the ages.
“I’ve been battling with these guys since the end of August,” Maloney said. “They’ve been my ride.”
Originally, it appeared both Maloney and the Warriors won the title outright. However, a score was input incorrectly; when updated, the Lancers (27-over 311) had outlasted the Warriors (313) for their first state title in program history.
Norton golf coach Dan Langmead said “this might be the most player-led, player-motivated team that I’ve ever coached in any sport. It’s pretty unique. This is something that they wanted all season.”TREVOR HASS
Norton, leaning on a star-studded 11-player senior class, entered the year with the goal of hanging three banners in the gym. After capturing their first Tri-Valley League title since 1985, they earned their second sectional crown in three years, and broke through in Franklin.
“I’ve been coaching high school sports since 2005,” said coach Dan Langmead. “This might be the most player-led, player-motivated team that I’ve ever coached in any sport. It’s pretty unique. This is something that they wanted all season.”
Sophomore Evan Caldwell tied for third (73), and Adam Caldwell (78), Griffin Clary (79), and Mason Ball (81) also contributed.
The Lancers originally thought they took second, but once they realized they won, they celebrated on the grass outside the club. One player jokingly asked when the parade was, and another briefly started dancing.
Evan Caldwell, who was not named a league all-star, was thrilled to deliver on a grand stage to give his senior comrades a parting gift.
“I’m really happy and relieved that we won,” Caldwell said. “All the hard work paid off.”
Wakefield’s James Maloney follows his drive off the seventh tee at Franklin Country Club.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
Archbishop Williams’s Connor Finn hits out of the bunker at Franklin Country Club.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
MIAA Division 2 Championship
at Franklin Country Club
Team
1. Norton, 311; 2. Wakefield, 313; 3. Masconomet, 317; 4. Mt. Greylock, 319; 5. Milton, 320.
Individual
72 — Patrick Maloney, Wakefield (Par 71; Won 3-hole playoff.); Jai Moulton, Dover-Sherborn.
73 — Joe Mulvey, Scituate; Evan Caldwell, Norton.
74 — Tanner Kmetz, Easthampton; Sam Luekens, Newburyport; Brendan O’Connor, Masconomet.
75 — Jacob Hillman, Mt. Greylock; Jackson Shaughnessy, Medfield; Cooper Wassung, Masconomet.
76 — Brayden Fennessy, Hampshire.
77 — Kesler Anello, Wahconah; Landon Pelletier, Essex Tech; Ben Twitchell, Milton; Jonny Abban, Pembroke; James Doyle, St. Mark’s; James Maloney, Wakefield.
Trevor Hass can be reached at trevor.hass@globe.com. Follow him on X @TrevorHass.