Meet 10 southern Maine golfers to watch in 2026
Maine High‑School Golfers Set Their Sights on 2026 State Titles
As the fall wind begins to chill the Atlantic coast, Maine’s top high‑school golfers are tightening their swings, sharpening their focus, and eyeing the Class A and Class B championships that will decide the state’s best. With the fall season just months away, the list of players to watch is already forming, and several of them have proven themselves in recent state meets and amateur tournaments.
The Standouts
Dante Iannetta – Falmouth Navigators (Senior)
Iannetta has been a fixture in Maine golf circles since his freshman year. Last fall he finished second in the Class A state meet with a 75, a round that put him a stroke behind the winner in the Southern Maine Athletic Association (SMAA) qualifier. He followed that with a 20th‑place finish at the Maine Amateur, shooting 77‑75‑73 over three days. The Navigator’s senior is a clear favorite to contend for a state title in 2026.
Ryan Irish – Camden Hills Windjammers (Freshman)
Irish is already making waves in the Kent Valley Athletic Conference. He ranked fourth in the 14‑15‑flight at the junior state championship, posting rounds of 78 and 79. The Windjammers freshman is poised to become one of the conference’s top players in his first year of high‑school golf.
Ryan Johnson – Thornton Golden Trojans (Senior)
Johnson returns for his second year with a wealth of match‑play experience. Last season he earned first‑team all‑SMAA South honors and tied for 12th at the Class A meet with a 79. The Trojan’s steadiness will be an asset as his teammates look for another title.
Deagan Nadeau – North Yarmouth Academy Panthers (Senior)
Nadeau tops the Panthers’ roster. He led the WMC Class C qualifier with an 81, then shot an 83 at state, setting the stage for a strong challenge in the coming season. Nadeau is expected to vie for a top‑five finish in 2026.
Keane McGrath – Cheverus Stags (Junior)
McGrath is stepping up as Cheverus’s No. 2 player, with the senior Sam Sirois poised to take the No. 1 slot. McGrath posted an 81 at the Class A championship, but his summer form improved dramatically, finishing third in the junior state championship with rounds of 72 and 70. The Stags are looking for back‑to‑back titles after last year’s Class A victory.
Alex Novick – Falmouth Navigators (Senior)
Novick is a key piece of Falmouth’s title hopes. He was fifth in the SMAA qualifier with a 78 and later shot 78 and 86 at the junior state championship, finishing the summer with an 87 at the state championship. The Navigator’s senior will be instrumental in keeping the team in contention.
Ryan Savona – Freeport Falcons (Senior)
A returning Varsity Maine All‑State selection, Savona finished third in Class B last fall with a 78, helping the Falcons secure a team third place. At the Maine junior championship he tied for 11th with rounds of 79 and 73, eight over par.
Henry Shub – Yarmouth Clippers (Junior)
Shub earned fourth place in the WMC qualifier with a 79, then finished 11th at the Class B state championship with an 85. He posted an 83 and 82 in the two rounds of the Maine junior championship this summer, showing consistency that could make him a contender.
Sam Sirois – Cheverus Stags (Sophomore)
Sirois played a pivotal role in last year’s Class A title. He finished second in the individual competition with a 75 and had a 74 in the SMAA qualifier. Now stepping into the No. 1 position for the Stags, he brings experience and a winning mentality to the team.
Henry Stone – Gray‑New Gloucester Patriots (Senior)
Stone had top‑10 finishes in both the WMC qualifier (fifth) and the Class B state championship (eighth) last year, shooting 80 in the qualifier and 83 at states. He finished the summer eighth in the Maine junior championships with rounds of 70 and 78, indicating he can hold his own against the state’s best.
Where the Competition Will Be Heated
The state’s Class A and Class B championships will see a mix of established talent and rising stars. Falmouth Navigators will rely heavily on Iannetta and Novick to drive the team forward. Cheverus Stags, having claimed last year’s title, will look to McGrath and Sirois to repeat. The Camden Hills Windjammers, Freeport Falcons, and Gray‑New Gloucester Patriots bring fresh energy and experience to the field.
The Southern Maine Athletic Association (SMAA) and WMC qualifiers have already given a glimpse of the players’ potential. In the SMAA, Iannetta’s 75 and Novick’s 78 suggest that Falmouth will remain a formidable force. Meanwhile, Nadeau’s 81 in the WMC Class C qualifier and Stone’s 80 in the same meet indicate that North Yarmouth Academy and Gray‑New Gloucester can challenge the traditional powerhouses.
The Road Ahead
As the fall season approaches, these golfers will undergo rigorous training schedules, practice rounds, and team competitions that will prepare them for the pressures of state play. Coaches from each school emphasize the importance of consistency and mental toughness—qualities that have already propelled many of these players to the upper echelons of Maine high‑school golf.
Fans and alumni can look forward to a season that promises to showcase not only the individual talents of these athletes but also the depth of talent across Maine’s high‑school golf programs. Whether Falmouth’s dynamic duo can defend their title, or whether Cheverus can extend their streak, the upcoming championship will offer a compelling narrative of ambition, skill, and the pursuit of excellence on the green.
