RIIL Finds a Longtime Home at Cranston CC

By Joe McDonald

RIGA Senior Writer

CRANSTON – There's only one place high school golfers want to tee it up every May – Cranston Country Club. 

That means they qualified for the Rhode Island Interscholastic League State Championship as either an individual, or part of a team. For more than 30 years, Cranston CC has become the home of the state championship and the players appreciate the warm welcome every season. 

"We've always taken pride in doing it and it's a nice event for the kids," said owner Mike Lombardi. "It's heartwarming when you hear people say how great the course is and it's a good feeling to hear those positive comments and we're getting a lot of them. We're happy to (host) and it's about giving back." 

The Lombardi family has owned and operated Cranston CC since the late 1960s and it's been a popular venue both on and off the golf course for decades, especially for high school golfers. Leading up to the championship every season, high school players and coaches are allowed practice rounds and use of the driving range to prepare for tournament. 

"I can't thank the Lombardi family enough," said RIIL executive director Michael Lunnie. "They open up and do so much to make this a first-class event for our kids and that's why we keep coming back every single year. They're so good to us and they appreciate this tournament and they do everything they can to help us in all kinds of ways." 

Superintendent John LeClair and his crew have Cranston CC in outstanding condition and the players were spoiled during the two-day event this week. 

"The grounds crew and superintendent make the course look fantastic and competitive for this two-day event," Lunnie said. "For us to have a 36-hole event is really unique in New England for a high school championship. The Lombardi family has been fantastic to work with." 

While weather has been a challenge early this golf season, conditions were perfect for this two-day championship. The competition level was off the charts. La Salle Academy won its fourth consecutive state title, Moses Brown's Adriana Eaton won her second girls' title in the last three seasons, while La Salle's Drew MacLeod won his first boys' state title win a victory on the first playoff hole. 

In fact, Eaton broke par for the first time in her career and accomplished that goal in fine fashion with a 5-under 66 after Round 1 Tuesday and finished 1-under (141) for the championship. 

"It's always a goal, but I surprised myself a little bit," Eaton said with a big smile. 

As impressive as her individual title, Eaton was just as pleased with helping the Quakers finish second overall as a team. 

"I don't know if it's fully sunken in yet, but I'm excited I won it," she said of her individual title. "I'm also happy for my team to get second place and for all the seniors on our team graduating, it means a lot." 

MacLeod finished strong and erased a six-stroke deficit to force a playoff before winning his first state title. 

"I was super stressed today because I didn't play well (Round 1)," he said. "I came into (Round 2), knowing to play some good golf and maybe have a chance. I battled and I got it done." 

MacLeod outlasted St. Raphael's Zach Taraian and East Greenwich's Garrett Carney on the first playoff hole. MacLeod was also just as proud as helping the Rams win the team title again. 

"It feels really good," he said. "We were favored going into this week, but Prout and Moses Brown put up great rounds, and we knew we had to play some good golf (Round 2). We fought well and we're really happy how we played." 

Spectators also enjoyed the two days at Cranston CC. Gregg Jackson watched his son, Max, compete here during his high school career at La Salle Academy, and now Gregg is watching his other son, Nate, a sophomore at La Salle, play in the championship. As a family, the Jacksons have played nearly every course in Rhode Island, but they appreciate what Cranston CC does for the kids every May.

"It's amazing," Jackson said. "They give the kids practice rounds when other places don't. (Cranston CC) caters to the kids and the course is always in great shape. It's a real golf course, a great competition course and it's beautiful right now. They give them the course, stay out of the way and give a lot to the kids, so it's great. I feel like that's a dying breed and they need more places like this." 

La Salle, Eaton and MacLeod own their respective bragging rights until next May when the RIIL State Championship returns to its longtime home – Cranston CC.