The 2015 and 2016 NDA Golf Teams were a dominant force in Central Massachusetts, establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the region from start to finish. Their journey to success began in 2014, when they finished a strong second in the state championship, losing by just twelve strokes to the NDA Hingham team—an opponent that had won twelve of the last fourteen state titles. That 2014 team, led by seniors Lindsay Sullivan, Emily Helenius, Hannah Dowd, and Hillary Murray, set the stage for what would be an extraordinary series of seasons.
In 2015, NDA Worcester claimed the state title by a narrow single-stroke victory over NDA Hingham, finishing the season undefeated with a perfect 16-0 record. The team also won the district tournament, with Lauren Fantaroni, a junior, taking the district individual title by shooting a 79 at Holden Hills. In 2015, Lauren was also named the Central Massachusetts Player of the Year. Key members of the 2015 team included Valentina Shrum, Sarah Plante, Lauren Fantaroni, Katie Wickstrom, Madison Streeter, Annie Spellane, Faith Duquette, Ashley Coburn, and Molly Cloutier, all of whom played a crucial role in the team's success that season.
Coached by Dennis Streeter and assisted by Tom Coburn, Shawn Cooksey, and Jaron Valukis, 2016 was perhaps the most impressive yet. With a strong core of players, including Lauren Fantaroni '16, Annie Spellane '17, Ashley Coburn '17, and Madison Streeter '17, the team dominated both the district and state tournaments. In the district tournament, the team won by an incredible thirty-seven strokes, and in the state tournament, they emerged victorious by thirty-five strokes—solidifying their place as one of the most powerful teams in the region.
Adding depth to the team was the fifth player, Molly Cloutier, while several talented players rotated in and out of the sixth position, including Martha McDonald, Morgan Pierce, Annabelle Smith, Faith Duquette, Gabby Miret, and Natalie Tewksbary. The team's exceptional performance was reflected in the accolades they earned, with Lauren Fantaroni, Annie Spellane, Ashley Coburn, and Madison Streeter all being named to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette Super Team—four out of the eight athletes selected for this prestigious honor.
The 2015 and 2016 NDA Golf Teams are remembered for their remarkable talent, teamwork, and dominance. The 2016 team stands as one of the most successful and accomplished teams in the school's athletic history, setting a high bar for future golfers at the Academy and laying the foundation for continued success in years to come.