A New King Of The Course

Stephen Goddard Jr. claims Winthrop Golf Club Championship

By Cary Shuman

If there is a Rookie of the Year award at the Winthrop Golf Club, the undisputed winner is Stephen Goddard Jr.

A club member since 2021 but making his first-ever appearance in the WGC Championship, Stoddard emerged from a field of 26 golfers as the No. 7 seed to earn the title. And borrowing a page from his well-known father, Stephen Goodard Sr., a defenseman and a captain of Winthrop High’s unforgettable 1976 Division 1 state championship hockey team, Stephen Jr. displayed his clutchness by winning some hard-fought, down-to-the-wire matches.

In fact, in the winner-take-all, 36-hole match-play showdown against Shawn Hagan, Goddard won on the penultimate (Hole No. 35) leg of the match. Goddard had earlier bested Angelo Gugliare (2-and-1), Dave Mills (1-up), and Jack Sicurella (2-and-1).

Hagan faced a difficult challenge on his side of the bracket, but he played outstanding golf in defeating former champion Casey O’Leary and then unseating a two-time WGC champion in Thomas DiGregorio on the 18th hole of an exciting, well-played semifinal match.

Praise for his opponent

Goddard spoke highly of his final round opponent, Shawn Hagan.

“Shawn played unbelievable the entire day,” said Goddard. “It was good golf. He just wouldn’t go away. He stayed in it. He battled the entire day. Honestly, it was impressive. The tournament was a lot of fun. I’m excited and honored to be the club champion. It’s definitely a hard thing to do, but it was enjoyable. There were good matches all the way through.”

A three-sport athlete at WHS

Stephen Goddard Jr., 30, played golf, hockey, and baseball at Winthrop High, graduating in 2014. He became a captain of the golf team in his senior year after helping the Vikings win the NEC title as a sophomore.

He was a junior member at the Winthrop Golf Club from 2008 to 2014.

“My father joined the club, and I followed,” said Stephen Jr. “We play golf together all the time.”

Goddard has improved his golf game steadily since becoming a member. “The convenience of having the golf course in town is awesome,” said Goddard, who lists Scottie Scheffler as his favorite professional golfer.

Goddard is employed at Massport as a light equipment operator.

Congrats from Head Pro Ed Montone

WGC Head Professional Edward Montone praised Goddard’s accomplishment, stating, “He is a great champion. He was one of the favorites coming into the tournament because he was having a very good season. He won by playing excellent golf against the club’s best.”