CHS golfers kick off title defense with close loss

By Mike Berger

Monday marked the official start of the fall sports season at Canton High School as the defending state champion Bulldog golf team headed to the Milton-Hoosic Club for a nonleague match against neighboring Milton High.

While it was a solid showing overall, the Canton golfers ultimately came up short, losing by a combined total of 235-220.

CHS junior Matt Ryan tees off from the fourth hole at the Milton-Hoosic Club on Monday. (Photo courtesy of Mike Barucci)

“I was happy with some of our scores, but we definitely will need to play a little better to win some of the more difficult matches on our schedule,” noted head coach Mike Barucci.

Leading the way for the visitors in the loss were two varsity veterans, sophomore Chase Thomas and junior Matt Ryan, who both finished two-over-par over nine holes with identical scores of 37. Junior Harrison Weitz finished right behind them with a three-over 38, while three other teammates — senior Cam Washburn, junior Nolan Gillis, and freshman Nolan Redquest — tied with a score of 41 to round out the top six for the Bulldogs.

Gillis and Redquest both made their varsity debuts in the match, and Barucci said both have the potential to make a big impact this season.

The Bulldogs also return several golfers from last year’s team, which went 11-3 to finish second in the Hockomock Davenport Division before going on a historic run in the playoffs, culminating with its first-ever MIAA state championship.

A major key to that run was Thomas, who delivered an all-time great rookie season, culminating with a team-best +4 finish at the Division 2 state tournament that ranked fourth out of more than 100 participants. He also led the Bulldogs to a Division 2 north sectional title with another +4 round at Bradford Country Club and finished the season with an average score of 36.5 — the second-best mark in program history behind only the 35.5 recorded by his teammate from last year, 2026 grad Joey Ryan.

Ryan’s brother Matt was also a key contributor last year, as were Weitz and Washburn, who were both fixtures in the starting lineup last season and competed at both sectionals and states.

Barucci noted that Matt Ryan has been playing some of the best golf of his career, while Washburn and Weitz have also shown immense improvement since last year.

After the team’s top four golfers, Barucci said there is a large group fighting for the remaining four spots. That group includes Gillis and Redquest, as well as Chase Brodney, who had a great second half of the season last year. Also vying for playing time are seniors Cam Guerschuny, John Flood and Donovan O’Connor, sophomore Cam Lyons, and freshman Ben MacEachern.

“We have a lot of talented golfers who will be fighting for the remaining spots in our lineup,” said Barucci. “I am excited to see how this young team handles the pressure of some of the bigger matches this season. As with every year, the league continues to get stronger.

“I believe we will certainly have a chance to reclaim the Davenport Division title and go on a good run in the state tournament again this year, though it will not be easy.”

In addition to Monday’s match against Milton, the Bulldogs were also scheduled to face North Attleboro on their home course at Blue Hill Country Club on Wednesday, September 2. Next week, the team will travel to the Hopedale Country Club to play Milford on September 10 and will then host division foe Foxboro at Blue Hill CC on Thursday, September 10.

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