Our Crimson Knights

Salisbury Golf Tees Up for Another Championship Run 

Salisbury’s golf program has been an integral piece of the School for decades, but recent strides have brought it to the forefront. A first-place finish in 2022 at the Kingswood-Oxford Invitational—often considered the “New England Championship” of prep school golf—a 7th-place finish the following year, and a gold medal at the Silo Ridge Invitational in 2024 have put the program on a pedestal. 

A swift improvement in facilities—going from hitting into a net in the Rudd Rink’s Zamboni garage to a fully functional golf simulator and the addition of the Chandler Driving Range in only a few years—has been a major cause for success. Generous donations from the Salisbury community, accompanied by fantastic coaching and leadership by former Head Coach and current Athletic Director Tim Sinclair ‘91, have taken the program to new heights. In the past, Head Coach Brent Barbato ‘02’s squad would travel 20 minutes each way just to have his team shoot 40 balls. Now, they can tee off 200 times simply by walking across the street. 

With those top-tier facilities and success come expectations. The 2025 installment of the program aims to fill the shoes of three graduates—Dylan Lachaine, Duke Gentzler, and Indy Stoll—and get back to the mountaintop. Led by Nate Broll ‘25, a multi-year member of the varsity team who Barbato describes as the “glue guy,” this year’s squad comes from a variety of backgrounds. 

Major contributions are expected from Rhett duPont ‘27, whom Barbato speaks highly of, referencing his excellent work-ethic. The fourth-former brings a year of varsity experience to the team and is always the last one hitting and perfecting his craft. He’s also one of multiple varsity hockey players on this year’s rendition. Similarly, duPont’s roommate, Thomas Molloy ‘27, another second-year varsity guy, is looking to build on a strong inaugural season a year ago. 

Joining the two underclassmen is Spencer Clark ‘25, a player with a great swing who is currently rehabbing from a non-golf-related injury. Barbato is eager to see who will step up during the sixth-former’s absence. Potential options are headlined by Oliver Morris ‘25, a key player on the varsity hockey team this winter who can always be relied on regardless of the moment.  

Another choice comes from within: the JV team from a year ago. Ryan Hedley ‘25, who, when not leading the Knights in goals on the ice, has a calm demeanor on the course. Hedley’s hockey teammate, Dylan Azzopardi ‘25, a sixth-former from New Canaan, CT, is eager to take the next step. Max Miko ‘25 has his sights set on the next level as well. 

It isn’t only sixth-formers who are looking to make consistent appearances on match day (only five players play each match), though. Mauricio Garcia-Cepeda ‘28, a third-former from Mexico City, has had an excellent offseason and impressed Barbato with his swing. 

The core players—as well as future stars who are unknown now—already have specific match dates circled. One trumps all others: Brunswick. The Bruins of Greenwich, CT, are viewed as the top program each year, and Barbato’s team relishes any chance they get to knock them off. Similarly, Avon Old Farms and Taft consistently place at the top of New England and serve as formidable opponents. 

Salisbury’s golf program is on an upward trajectory, and nothing about this season suggests anything different. They are ready to make their mark.