2024 Men's Golf Season Preview
SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State is looking to bounce back in 2024 after a disappointing finish at the MASCAC Championships a season ago. The Vikings finished third after having won back-to-back conference championships in head coach Jimmy O'Reilly's first two seasons. This year Salem State was picked third in the MASCAC Men's Golf Preseason Poll as voted on by the league's seven coaches. Defending champion Springfield placed first with 34 points (5 first place), followed by MCLA (29 points, 2 first place votes) and the Vikings, who received 25 points.
SEASON OUTLOOK
We have a saying that has been a part of Salem State golf going back to when I was a player. "Faces change, but the expectations don't". Our goal is to win the MASCAC and play at Nationals in May. That is our goal and expectation every year! - Head Coach Jimmy O'Reilly -
Salem State will be led by captains Ethan Doyle (Salem, Mass.) and Danny DiLisio (Swampscott, Mass.). Both players have excelled in the past as Doyle is a former MASCAC Player and Rookie of the Year, who has two first team all-conference selections while DiLisio has been an all-conference second team performer the last two years. Veterans Henry Stonehouse (Belmont, Mass.) - All MASCAC 2nd Team, 2024 - and Colin Richmond (Newburyport, Mass.) are both three-year starters, who have all experienced playing on championship teams and will help stabilize a talented lineup that will have chance to make their third trip to Nationals in four years.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
Matt Tramonte, freshman, Tewksbury Ma, Shawsheen Tech - "Matt is a very accomplished player and arrives at Salem State with a very impressive resume. He has won multiple junior tournaments across Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley. He was his league MVP and champion. He is super tough and doesn't get rattled in tournaments. We are excited to see what Matt does in his career as a Viking golfer."
Joe Aronis, freshman, Stoneham Ma, Stoneham HS - "Joe has a tremendous golf swing and is a great athlete. He played golf, hockey, and baseball at Stoneham. He was the top player on a very good Stoneham squad and was a Middlesex League All-Star in hockey and golf. Joe is going to have a very good career at Salem State."
Joe Orlando, freshman, Gloucester Ma, Gloucester HS - Joe was a league all star and played #1 at Gloucester. Joe is a big kid with a lot of power and a huge upside. The best part of Joe's makeup and what we like about him is he isn't afraid of the moment, stays patient, and his upside is off the charts. We are excited about Joe's future at Salem State.
COACH'S QUOTE
"This is the deepest team we have had in quite some time at Salem State. It reminds me of some of the deep and talented teams I was fortunate to be a part of as a player here. We have our entire lineup back, who played in the majority of our events. We have our talented freshmen class from a year ago back, who helped us at points last season and we have an excellent class joining us this fall.
This is a very tight-nit group of guys who have been together for a long time. They feel they have unfinished business and want another shot at the conference championship. If we can enjoy the journey and the process of accomplishing our goals and not put too much pressure on ourselves along the way, we could have a memorable season."
2024 MASCAC MEN'S GOLF PRESEASON POLL
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)
1. Springfield (5) 34 points
2. MCLA (2) 29 points
3. Salem State 25 points
4. Marymount 23 points
5. Worcester State 15 points
6. Westfield State 12 points
7. Marywood 9 points