The talent pool of Cape Cod and Islands high school golfers in the region is not only getting deeper, but better as student-athletes commit themselves further to the insane asylum of the most frustrating sport on the planet: golf.
Each year it feels like high school golf in the region gets stronger and stronger. This year is no different with some of the top players returning to the course, who will all be joined by up-and-coming names.
Monomoy, Sandwich and St. John Paul II all advanced to the MIAA Division 3 state championship, while Nauset was the lone representative from the Cape and Islands in Division 2.
Team success—brought about by individual talent—saw nine total schools from the region qualify for sectionals.
There were several individuals that extended their seasons to sectionals and beyond, led by Barnstable’s Colin Gleason, who is arguably the top high school boys golfer on the Cape and Islands.
With the players coming back this season, that should be the expectation again.
Here are the 2025 Cape Cod Times high school boys golfers to watch:
Charlie Campbell, Barnstable
Tabbed for a big fall by Red Hawks head coach Robert Toffolon, Campbell lived up to that in his sophomore season where he was a Cape and Islands League All-Star. By the end of the campaign, he was statistically the team’s second-best player behind Colin Gleason. He wasn’t able to participate at the MIAA Division 1 South Sectional and his absence was noticeable.
“Charlie is a dedicated golfer, and the work he has put in shows,” Toffolon said. “It will be exciting to see how he continues to grow and perform within the game.”
Colin Gleason, Barnstable
Arguably the best high school boys golfer on the Cape and Islands, Gleason looks to round out his career with a bang.
“Colin is exceptional on and off the course,” Toffolon said. “He’s the heart of our team and a proven leader amongst his peers. I am very excited to see what Colin does to cap off his high school career this fall.”
His resume is outstanding. Gleason is a four-time Cape and Islands League All-Star, a league MVP, and the reigning Cape Cod School Boys Invitational champion and two-time defending Vineyard Invitational champion.
The senior tied for second with a round of two-over par 74 at the Division 1 South Sectional.
Levi McNally, Barnstable
As a freshman, Levi was primarily a junior varsity player, but was called upon a few times to fill in for varsity matches and performed well in those spots.
“He has great potential, as evidenced by earning medalist honors at last season’s JV Cup,” Toffolon said. “He has a calm and cool approach to his game, and his collected demeanor will serve him well on the course this fall as he helps to fill the void left by our graduated seniors.”
Jackson Fougere, Bourne
One of four sophomores on the squad alongside Ronan Kelly. He was a fixture in the team last season.
Ronan Kelly, Bourne
Kelly showed that he could be a top player for the future of the Canalmen as a freshman, where he routinely was a counting score. He’ll look to make another jump in his game this season.
Bryce Young, Bourne
Young is one of four juniors on a team with zero seniors. He was a key contributor alongside Kelly and Fougere last season that was led by three seniors. Young will be expected to contribute as one of the top returning players from the 2024 team that fell short of making the postseason.
Ben Catalano, Cape Cod Academy
Catalano is coming off a strong junior season where he was a co-medalist at the Division 3 South Sectional at The Ridge Club before he finished in a two-way tie for fifth at the state championship. The senior, who was a medalist eight times during the regular season for the Seahawks, fell in the playoffs at the Cape & Islands School Boys Championship at Willowbend to solidify himself as one of the top high school boys golfers on the Cape and Islands. Catalano had a scoring average of 38.8 shots per nine holes.
Catalano has played a heavy tournament schedule this summer, which included securing a top 10 at the NEPGA Junior Cup with rounds of 75-69.
Olivia Jatczak, Cape Cod Academy
With the graduation of St. John Paul II’s Bella Scioletti and Dennis-Yarmouth’s Kendra Hayes, Jatczak will be the top Cape Cod girls high school golfer to tee it up with the boys this fall. She placed second to Scioletti at the Cape Cod School Girls Golf Championship in the spring, and has since had a productive summer on the Massachusetts Golf Association circuit. The junior earned her name on the trophy for the fourth consecutive year at the Mother Daughter/Member Junior Tournament at Foxborough Country Club, and she teed it up at the Massachusetts Girls Junior Amateur Championship.
Jatczak won three times on the NEPGA Junior Tour with each victory coming at Cape-based courses (Bayberry Hills, Quashnet Valley and Hyannis Golf Club).
Chris Morin, Cape Tech
Morin had a great freshman season for the Crusaders as he helped the team qualify for the MIAA Division 3 South Sectional.
“He is always so poised and is a true student of the game,” Crusaders coach Kevin Furey said. “With a full season of experience already, he is going to make that next level jump this year and I can’t wait to watch him develop further.”
Brayden Wright, Cape Tech
Wright, who is entering his senior season, has been on the varsity team all three years he’s been at Cape Tech and has competed in every match.
“He has improved every year, and I know he wants to make the most of his senior season,” Furey said.
Wright was named team captain because of his experience and leadership. If the Crusaders are to make some noise in the Mayflower Athletic Conference, Furey said he will be the spark to that.
Matt Swartz, Cape Tech
Swartz, a junior, was new to the Crusaders golf program last year, but he made an immediate impact.
“Matt had some amazing rounds last fall and I believe he can do that again and on a consistent basis,” Furey said. “He is a natural athlete and has picked up the game quickly and really developed his skills.”
Sam Beebe, Dennis-Yarmouth
Beebe, who has played since eighth grade, has become one of the Dolphins’ strongest players over the last two years. The sophomore continuously posted a top three score at matches, and has put in a tremendous amount of work in the offseason heading into the fall season.
Michael Brennan, Dennis-Yarmouth
Brennan, who is entering his sophomore season, joined the team last year and quickly moved his way towards the top of the roster for Dolphins head coach Scott Graf.
“He has a natural skill set and has tremendous potential as a young player,” Graf said.
Gavin Powderly, Falmouth
Powderly has honed his strategic skills as a caddie at Sacconnesset Golf Club. The junior has been a strong player for the Clippers since his freshman year. He is consistently scoring in the high 30s and low 40s.
Jackson Smith, Falmouth
Jackson is an outstanding left-handed golfer. He had a great freshman season and is looking to overcome the sophomore slump and continue to be in a top pairing for the Clippers.
Travis Smith, Falmouth
Travis is a three-sport athlete, who is also an outstanding hockey and lacrosse player. He is committed to play lacrosse at Skidmore College. On course, the senior spent his summer caddying at Sacconnesset Golf Club. He’s shown his growth as a player, firing low scores of one-over and two-over par in tryouts.
Jacoby Light, Martha’s Vineyard
Light was named as a player to watch on the Vineyarders by head coach Henry Smith. He is a junior who qualified for the MIAA Division 2 South Sectionals last fall.
Brandon Baptiste, Mashpee
Baptiste is coming off a strong freshman season, where he posted a top six score in every match. It will be the sophomore’s second year on varsity.
Jackson Carlson, Mashpee
Carlson is the team’s returning number one player from the 2024 fall season. He is a senior.
“Jackson has made great progress each of the three previous off-seasons,” Falcons head coach Michael Mannix said. “He exemplifies an amazing team attitude and leadership qualities. He’s a true team player.”
Liam Hansford, Mashpee
Hansford returns for the Falcons as a senior captain and the team’s number two player in the lineup.
“Liam has grown his leadership skills and golf game to impressive levels,” Mannix said.
Hank Brown, Monomoy
Brown emerged as one of the leaders going forward for the Sharks golf team, which graduated a strong senior class. As a sophomore, he placed third at the MIAA Division 3 state championship after he shot a 79 to lead the team to a runner-up finish. That earned him a spot to represent the Cape and Islands League at the New England Final at Mohegan Sun.
He’s coming off a four-over par average scoring record, where he had a 10-4 record against his opposite number.
“Hank is incredibly consistent and makes the game look simple,” Sharks head coach John Anderson said. “He is a quiet teammate who leads through his incredible work ethic and tireless addiction to practicing the game he loves.”
Cam Reeves, Monomoy
Reeves is coming off a strong sophomore campaign where he placed 11th at the Division 3 state championship having led the tournament for a majority of the day. He was three-under par on his front nine.
He’ll look to improve on a four-over par average for nine holes, knowing he can score.
“Cam came back to Monomoy after playing a season at private school and quickly changed the dynamics of our team with his energy, enthusiasm, and incredible athleticism,” Anderson said. “His presence on the team enabled us to achieve a runner up finish at the state championship.”
David Boulter, Nantucket
Boulter ranked second in scoring for the Whalers in 2024, averaging 41 strokes per nine holes. The senior shot his best round with an even-par 36.
“He has a great touch around the green and drives the ball equally as well,” Whalers head coach Sam Herrick said.
David Foley, Nantucket
After returning zero varsity experience a season ago, Herrick is piecing together a team that, not only has varsity experience but also postseason experience. Foley led the team in scoring as a junior with 40 strokes per nine-holes. He posted multiple rounds in the high 30s and will be a key part again this year.
“Coming into his senior season, he’s already in mid-season form,” Herrick said. “He has a strong short game and desire to get better every day.”
Foley spent his summer caddying at Nantucket Golf Club, which he says has greatly improved his game.
Edward Taveras, Nantucket
Herrick said rising junior Taveras has spent more time playing and learning golf in the last year than most players on the PGA Tour.
“His drive and desire to get better makes me believe he will be a key contributor and top scorer on the Nantucket golf team this season,” Herrick said.
Taveras, like Foley, spent his summer living caddying. He lived in the caddie dorms and caddied at the Sankaty Head Golf Club.
Max St. Aubin, Nauset
St. Aubin will take over the number one spot in the team’s lineup following the graduation of Jack Martin. He helped the Warriors complete an undefeated season, where they qualified for the state championship after advancing out of the MIAA Division 2 South Sectional. The senior carded a team-best 73 to help the team advance. He qualified for the Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship over the summer as his game progresses.
Matthew Breda, Nauset
Breda flew under the radar for the Warriors last season but emerged as a key piece in the postseason. Warriors head coach Brian Hicks selected Breda as part of the team to play at the Division 2 South Sectional, where they qualified for the state championship.
“Matthew has worked hard in the off-season to be competitive on a higher level,” Hicks said.
That hard work translated into Breda qualifying for the Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship as an alternate.
Oliver Smith, Nauset
Smith played as the Warriors number three behind Jack Martin (graduated) and Max St. Aubin (senior). He had a season average of 39.3 strokes per nine holes, shooting a season best one-under 35 twice. He posted a round of 77 at the MIAA Division 2 state championship at the Segregansett Country Club.
During the summer, Smith has continued to work on his game daily and qualified for the Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship.
Blaise Chatigny, Sandwich
Chatigny had a breakout sophomore year. He was named the South Shore League’s Most Valuable Player and an All-Star selection after he guided the Blue Knights to a Sullivan Division League championship, shooting a one-under 71 to earn medalist honors at South Shore Country Club.
His season highlights included being co-medalist at the Division 3 South Sectional at The Ridge Club with an eight-over 79. He then shot an 84 (+12) to finish in a tie for 11th at the Division 3 state championship at Foxborough Country Club.
“Chatigny has high expectations of himself and continues to deliver on the course,” Blue Knights first-year head coach Ryan Potter said. “I expect him to assert himself as a top dog on Cape this fall and serve as a great leader and role model for his teammates.”
Chatigny, who averaged 38.8 strokes per nine holes in 2024, posted a season-best four-under 32 at Captains Golf Course against Nauset.
Nathan De Blank, Sandwich
De Blank, who is entering his senior year, will be a big contributor on a roster that lost one golfer from its top pairing in senior Luke Greeley. He played a key part on the team that won the South Shore League and the MIAA Division 3 South Sectional.
“Nathan is playing at a high-level heading into the season. He uses his positive attitude to lead by example on the course,” Potter said. “I am sure that he will continue to work hard to improve every facet of his game, which is scary for opposing players.”
Chris Heywood, St. John Paul II
Heywood is another one of the team’s quad-captains. Heywood caught fire in the second-third of the season twice being the team medalist, and improved his average score per round to 40.5 strokes. Lions head coach Geoff Converse called him a quiet personality that belies his fierce competitiveness and desire to improve.
Heywood was selected as an All-Cape Cod and Islands All-Star, as well as a Cape and Islands League All-Star selection.
Drew Richards, St. John Paul II
Richards, who is a senior, will be one of the team’s four captains. He’s entering his fourth year as a starter, where he’s improved his game to the point of winning two of the Cape Cod Junior Golf Association summer tournaments. He finished second at the association’s Tournament of Champions played at Sacconnesset Country Club.
“There is no harder worker at trying to improve his game,” Converse said.
Last year, his scoring average in matches was 40.6 strokes per nine holes. He garnered his second Cape and Islands League All-Star selection.
Sam Scioletti, St. John Paul II
Another of the team’s four captains, Scioletti returns for his sixth and final year on varsity having started his career as a seventh grader. He played as the Lions’ number one player almost all last year, and was a key to last year’s successful campaign that included reaching the MIAA Division 3 state championship at Foxborough Country Club.
“He possesses a solid game across the board with his strengths being his distance off the tee and a precise short game,” Converse said.
The senior was an All-Cape Cod and Islands All-Star for the second time last year. His scoring average for nine holes last season was 37.3 strokes per round with five rounds even-par or better, including two 3-under par rounds of 32.
Brayden DeBarros, Sturgis East
The Storm’s first-year head coach Jim Barrasso said that DeBarros has a genuine love for the game, where he’s always interested in ways he can improve. Barrasso will hope that the junior takes another jump in his game.
Maximo Kuhn, Sturgis East
Kuhn is a big hitter off the tee, which ehe complements with soft hands around the green.
“He has excellent respect for the game,” Barrasso said of the sophomore.
Valencia Ferretti, Sturgis West
Ferretti enters her freshman year with a season of varsity experience under her belt having played as an eighth grader at Rising Tide. She is part of the First Tee program alongside her brother JP Ferretti, who is a sophomore on the team. New Navigators head coach Craig Glidden has seen tremendous growth in the last six months alone.
Alexander Saunders, Sturgis West
Saunders is coming off a 12-1 record in head-to-head matches as a freshman, where his season average was one strike above par. His best round was a two-under 34 at Bayberry Golf Course. The sophomore has been hailed as a golfer with a great attitude, who has been putting in the work to become a complete player.
Cooper Stephens, Sturgis West
Stephens served as a team captain for the Navigators last fall. He’s been part of the First Tee Program where Glidden also coaches. The junior has really developed over the past year into his own swing.
Evan Barrasso, Upper Cape
The Rams return one underclassman from last season’s team in Barrasso. The sophomore was a reserve on a deep team during last fall’s campaign, and he will be expected to step up in matches this year.
Jake Ewing, Upper Cape
The Rams returned only three players from the team that won their second straight Massachusetts State Vocational Golf Tournament championship, including just two seniors. Ewing is one of two seniors, who first-year head coach Scott McGuire will lean heavily on this season.
“I will be stepping up on Jake to step up their games and bring all of the young guys up to speed,” McGuire said.
Mitchell Kirkland, Upper Cape
Kirkland is the second of two seniors returning to the golf program this fall for new Rams coach McGuire. He will be expected to help Ewing step into the void left behind by Asher Graff, Nolan Roche and Fernando Way.
“They (Ewing and Kirkland) have really big shoes to fill as the team was quite successful under Matt Lombard,” McGuire said. “As first-year head coach, the only returning players are going to be relied on upon by, not only their teammates, but also by me.”
Allen Gunn covers high school sports for the Cape Cod Times. You can contact him at agunn@gannett.com and follow him on X at @allentgunn.
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