Golfers on to states after capturing D2 North crown

Teddy Shuman, Chase Thomas, Cam Washburn, Harrison Weitz, Mason Wachtendonk, Joey Ryan, and Coach Mike Barucci pose for a photo after winning the D2 North trophy.

Fresh off winning the Division 2 North Sectionals last week, Canton High’s top varsity golfers will now get to test their skills against some of the very best in the state at this year’s D2 state championship tournament scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, at Taconic Country Club in Williamstown.

Invitation to the prestigious competition is limited to the three or four highest-finishing teams at each sectional tournament (depending on the number of teams competing), as well as any individual golfer who finished in the top 10 percent of the leaderboard.

To determine the standings in the sectional team tournaments, the four lowest 18-hole scores on each team are totaled, and in the case of this year’s Bulldogs, that translated to an easy victory at Bradford Country Club thanks to the stellar play of Mason Wachtendonk, Harrison Weitz, Chase Thomas and Joey Ryan.

Amazingly, all four Canton golfers placed in the top five out of a field of 96 competitors, led by Wachtendonk, who finished second overall with a two-over-par 73 — just one stroke in back of eventual champion Brendan O’Connor of Masconomet Regional.

Coming in third just one stroke behind Wachtendonk was fellow Bulldog Weitz, who shot a three-over 74. And right on their heels were Thomas and Ryan, who placed fourth and fifth, respectively, with scores of 75 and 76.

“It was incredible golf by our team in cool, wet conditions,” said head coach Mike Barucci. “They stayed focused their entire round and played some of their best golf of the season.”

While only the top four scores were counted in the team competition, Canton’s fifth and sixth golfers, Teddy Shuman and Cam Washburn, also had strong showings as they both shot an 81 (+10), finishing in a tie for 23rd place.

“I’m incredibly proud of how well they all played,” Barucci said of the Canton contingent. “We finished the season with nine wins in a row and then they went out and played their best golf of the season to capture the D2 North title. The conditions were tough with all the rain we had that continued for most of the day. They’ve all worked so hard for this. I am excited to see what they can do in the state finals.”

The same six golfers are scheduled to compete for Canton at states, with the four lowest scores determining the final team score. Barucci said he has the utmost confidence in all six golfers and believes they can compete with anyone if they play to the level they are capable of.

“It’s one day,” he said, “and there’s no room for error when you’re playing against the best teams in the state.”

Two days after winning the D2 North crown, the Bulldogs traveled to Norton Country Club to compete in the Hockomock League Championship meet, where they finished fifth out of 12 teams.

Wachtendonk was Canton’s top overall finisher at the tournament, placing eighth with a score of 79. Thomas was right behind him with a round of 80, followed by Washburn with a round of 88.

“It was a cooler, windy day, so scores in general were higher,” noted Barucci. “We have a very strong league this year with a lot of great golfers. We would have needed our best to finish at the top, and unfortunately we didn’t have our best day on the course.”

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=132532

Posted by Mike Berger on Oct 24 2025. Filed under Uncategorized. Both comments and pings are currently closed.