It’s been an up and down year for the Lynnfield High golf team.
The season started with high hopes. A record 30 players tried out for the team with 21 players making the cut to fill the varsity and junior varsity squads.
The Pioneers won their first four matches, only to drop four straight to fall to 4-4. After splitting their final four matches, the Pioneers’ postseason hopes were on the line in the final match of the year, needing a win to keep playing.
Win or go home.
Let’s just say the Pioneers saved their best for last, defeating traditional archrival North Reading Oct. 8 at Sagamore Springs Golf Club, 193-157, to clinch a spot in the MIAA Division 3 North Sectional Tournament with a regular season record of 7-6.
The 193-point total was the Pioneers’ top performance of the season, two more than the 191 points they tallied in a win over Essex Tech in the opening match of the season. After following with a win against Triton (coached by Lynnfield resident and former LHS three-sport standout Ryan Sheehan), the Pioneers were named the Aug. 31 Daily Item Team of the Week.
Sophomore Max Sabbagh, junior Brady Cole and freshman Mike Mattia paced the Pioneers against North Reading with 30 or more points apiece. The win completed a season sweep over the Hornets, who dropped a 159-155 decision earlier in the season at Hillview Golf Course.
On Oct. 15, the Pioneers traveled north to Far Corner Golf Course in West Boxford to compete in the Division 3 sectional tournament. Led by senior captain Drew George’s team-best score of 83, the Pioneers finished fifth out of 16 teams with a score of 55-over par 343. Wilmington won the overall team title with 331 points – two points ahead of Tewksbury and Manchester-Essex, who tied for second with 333 points.
Junior Jared Burke tied for 23rd with an 85, while junior Angelo Covino tied for 34th with an 87 and Sabbagh shot 88 and finished tied for 37th. Junior Sam Bird (90, T46) and Mattia (91, T51) also represented the Pioneers. A total of 78 individuals teed it up at the event.
The Pioneers wrapped up the season Oct. 16 at the Cape Ann League Open at Far Corner. Jared Burke finished 18th of 23 players with 53 points. Sabbagh finished 19th with 52 points.
Sheehan’s Triton team also competed in the CAL Open. Triton freshmen Jack Gagne (69 points) and Evan Allen (66 points) shined, finishing first and second, respectively.
“Jack and Evan have been playing well all year,” said Sheehan, who was recently named head coach of the Essex Tech boys hockey team. “It was a very impressive performance from both of them in a very strong field on a difficult golf course. They have promising high school careers ahead of them, as both are just freshmen.”
The Pioneers celebrated the season with their annual awards banquet at Prince Pizza Oct. 21. Hunter Ells received the Pioneer Pride Cup award. Covino received the Most Improved Golfer award. The Scholar-Athlete for the team member with the highest grade point average went to George. Sabbagh received the Most Valuable Player award.
The captains of the 2026 team were announced as well: Cam Dembro, Sabbagh, and Carbone.
