Girls’ golf poised for state championships

In only their second season ever, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) girls’ golf team is preparing to again head to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association state championship, with an overall 8–3 record for the season. 

Despite a tough match last week, the girls’ spirits remained high as they made their way to the championship tournament at the Foxborough Country Club Wednesday. The team, made up entirely of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, lost to Duxbury High School last Thursday, 323–267.

In the match on Thursday, Head Coach Mike Joyce said regardless of the score card, the Vineyard team played a pretty steady match. 

“It was good,” said Joyce of the team’s performance. “For us, scores were a little higher than average, but it was like what we’ve done all year — pretty steady, [golfers] one through eight.” 

Joyce noted that playing against Duxbury, a skilled team that is a contender in the state championship, was a valuable learning opportunity for the young Vineyard squad. “They’ve got some really good players,” he said. “Anytime we can get them an experience where you can watch people that are really good play, it’s better than other sports. In golf, you can do it a little less painfully.” 

Joyce highlighted that the girls’ team has shown strong sportsmanship and camaraderie throughout the season, forming relationships with opponents as they play long rounds. 

“They have more fun with their opponent than any other team I’ve seen,” said Joyce. “That’s what happens when you’re just walking with someone for two hours.” 

The Vineyard girls’ golf program, which transitioned to varsity competition for the first time in 2025, has had a successful first two seasons. Last year, they reached the state tournament with a 5–5 record. This year, with an improved record at 8–3, including a notable win over strong league competitor Barnstable, their standing in the league continues to rise. 

Joyce said from their first golfer to their eighth golfer, the girls’ skill levels are similar, and are separated by only a few strokes. 

In the state tournament, Joyce said, their goal is “a solid showing,” ideally finishing middle of the pack among 15 other teams expected to compete. 

Joyce highlighted the resilience of the golf team, which began practice amid windy conditions in mid-March, when temperatures were in the low 40s and 30-mph winds hit the Island. He said their resilience will be important in the postseason.

“They’re tougher than me, for sure,” said Joyce. “That resilience is really good. They go out there and really battle it out.”