Crumpin-Fox Club, Bernardston, August 23, 2025
News Summary
Maddie Smith of Westford Academy showcased remarkable skill and composure to win the New England Junior Amateur girls championship at Crumpin-Fox Club. Despite facing a tough final round, Smith pulled off a comeback victory in a playoff against Connecticut’s Jun Xi Guo, contributing to Massachusetts’ overall team triumph by finishing 17 shots ahead of their rival. The event highlighted the depth of the Massachusetts squad and showcased Smith’s potential as she faced the pressures of junior golf.
Westford — Maddie Smith Pulls Off a Playoff Magic Trick and Boosts Massachusetts to Team Title
Big weekend at Crumpin-Fox Club
Golf fans got a little drama and a lot of heart at the Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston where Westford Academy’s standout junior, Maddie Smith, closed out the New England Junior Amateur girls championship in classic come-from-behind fashion. After steady opening rounds, a stumble on the final day forced sudden-death nerves — and Smith delivered when it counted.
How the leaderboard shook out
Smith posted consecutive rounds of 73 to set herself up nicely, but an 80 on the final day pushed the title race into extra holes. In the playoff against Connecticut’s Jun Xi Guo, Smith held her nerve and sealed the win on the second playoff hole with a par, taking home the individual trophy. The result also added critical momentum to the Massachusetts squad, which finished a strong 17 shots clear of Connecticut to claim the team crown.
Team depth mattered
The tournament wasn’t just a one-player story. Westford’s lineup featured key contributors beyond Smith, including Champa Visetesin, Ryley Regan and Sophie Redmond. Billerica’s Reva Machanavajhula also made noise, tying for 14th after a final-round 78. The combination of depth and a clutch individual finish made the difference for the state team title.
What this win means
From an expert golf perspective, Smith’s week is a perfect reminder that junior events test more than raw distance and short-game polish. They test recovery, course management after changing conditions, and the ability to reset mentally when trouble arrives. Smith’s two steady 73s gave her a position of strength, the 80 showed the challenge of final-day pressure, and the playoff victory proved the temperament you want to see from a rising player.
More local sports notes — quick hits
It wasn’t just golf making headlines. The Merrimack Valley Conference moved a Lowell vs Chelmsford contest to Oct. 10. In college coaching news, Christopher O’Donnell has been named assistant coach for men’s and women’s cross country and track at St. Lawrence University, a hire that local distance and coaching watchers will want to keep an eye on.
Community and scholastic athletics updates
On the community front, the annual Rachel’s Run 5K is set for Nov. 22 at the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro. Entry is $35 for adults, $25 for runners 12 and under, and $30 to join the community walk. Proceeds will support the Rachel Morrison Scholar/Athlete Award and the Rachel Morrison Science Scholarship Fund — a local cause that benefits students and athletes alike.
Lacrosse fireworks: Westford Academy girls make history chase
In a non-golf but locally electric result, senior Kassidy Carmichael delivered a last-second goal to give Westford Academy an 11-10 win over Wellesley in a Division 1 state semifinal. Carmichael, now an All-American, has been unstoppable in the postseason — a seven-goal quarterfinal game and a 10-goal effort in the Round of 16 led to a dramatic semifinal performance where she opened by scoring the first six goals. That momentum has the Westford girls lacrosse team — the Ghosts — gearing up for a first-ever state final against top-seeded Concord-Carlisle.
For golf followers: what to watch in players like Smith
Experts will be tracking Smith’s short game under pressure, her decision-making around pins in tight spots, and how she manages risk-reward scenarios on harder par-4s and par-5s. Winning a playoff shows mental fortitude; maintaining consistency across multiple days will be the next chapter for her development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the New England Junior Amateur girls championship?
Maddie Smith of Westford Academy won the individual title after a playoff at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston.
How did the Massachusetts team perform?
Massachusetts captured the team championship, finishing 17 shots ahead of Connecticut.
What was notable about Smith’s rounds?
Smith shot back-to-back 73s, followed by an 80 on the final day that led to a playoff. She won the playoff on the second hole.
When and where is Rachel’s Run 5K?
Rachel’s Run 5K is scheduled for Nov. 22 at the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro, with entry fees and proceeds designated for scholarship funds.
What’s next for Westford Academy’s girls lacrosse team?
The Ghosts will face No. 1 Concord-Carlisle in the state championship match, marking Westford Academy’s first trip to a state final.
At-a-Glance: Key Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | New England Junior Amateur — Girls (Crumpin-Fox Club, Bernardston) |
| Individual Champion | Maddie Smith (Westford Academy) — won in playoff on 2nd hole |
| Team Champion | Massachusetts — finished 17 shots ahead of Connecticut |
| Notable Teammates | Champa Visetesin, Ryley Regan, Sophie Redmond; Reva Machanavajhula tied for 14th |
| Rachel’s Run 5K | Nov. 22 — Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro — $35 adults / $25 under 12 / $30 community walk |
| High School Lacrosse | Westford Academy Ghosts advance to state final; Kassidy Carmichael key performer |
| Schedule Change | Lowell vs Chelmsford moved to Oct. 10 (Merrimack Valley Conference) |
Sharp, punchy and with plenty of momentum — that’s the short version. For golf nerds who love playoff drama and for local sports fans riding the wave of Westford’s summer into fall, this was a week that delivered.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
LIV Golf’s Rookie Shuffle and Relegation Rumble
Boston Welcomes the Return of Women’s Professional Golf
Junior Golf Drama Unfolds at Crumpin-Fox Club
South Hadley Golfers Excel in U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier
Williamstown’s Hidden Gem: Taconic Golf Club Shines
Young Golfer Alexa Pano Shines with Patriots Pride
Additional Resources
- MetroWest Daily News
- Boston Herald
- Patriot Ledger
- Lowell Sun
- Lowell Sun
- Wikipedia: Lacrosse
- Google Search: Westford Academy
- Google Scholar: Westford Academy athletics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Athletics (Sport)
- Google News: Westford Academy
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