For MacBurnie, fall was one for the books

After leading St. Mary’s to a share of the Catholic Central League golf title and earning league MVP honors, MacBurnie took his game to another level in the postseason. But play-off pressure is nothing new to the Beverly native, who was part of play-off hockey teams in two of the last three seasons.In the Division 3 North qualifier at Hillview Country Club in North Reading, MacBurnie finished third individually with a round of 73 and helped lead the Spartans to a fourth-place finish as a team. He went on to the state championships and shot 4-over par 76 at Black Swan Country Club in Georgetown to tie for fourth.But, MacBurnie said, it was the collective effort of his teammates that helped lead St. Mary?s to its fantastic season.?We were much more prepared and focused at sectionals,” MacBurnie said. “Finishing fourth was a great achievement. Coach (Jay) Fiste was a great coach to play for. He matched our pairings perfectly.”Success on the links for MacBurnie wasn’t limited to the high school season. This past summer, he traveled around New England to compete in American Junior Golf Association and Massachusetts Golf Association events, recording a 24th-place finish in the MGA Junior Amateur Championships.?In almost every sport, when you play with and are around better players, you adapt and become better as an overall player,” MacBurnie said. “Traveling to play in those tournaments was such an eye opener to realize how many good golfers there are out there. And how much you need to practice to stay in the hunt or even catch them.”MacBurnie’s prowess on the golf course has gotten the attention of many schools, including Bentley University, St. Anselm College, and Stevenson University and McDaniel College in Maryland.?At the moment, I intend on continuing my golf career,” MacBurnie said. “If hockey follows, that would be a bonus.”There weren’t many days from the end of school through October that MacBurnie didn’t have a golf club in his hand. But his passion is hockey and along with his St. Mary’s teammates, MacBurnie has put the Spartans on the map as a serious Division 1 contender.This season, he will serve as one of the captains for coach Mark Lee’s team as the Spartans look to make another deep run in the tournament. Last year, the Spartans put together a stellar regular season but were left out of the Super 8 tournament as the last team eliminated.St. Mary’s eventually marched to the Division 1 North final before falling to eventual state champion Reading. It’s that loss, and also the success of a year ago, that has MacBurnie fired up to hit the ice when practices begin the Monday after Thanksgiving.?It’s sad to put the clubs away for the winter but hockey has always been a passion since I was little,” MacBurnie said. “Being named captain with three of my best friends makes this year even more exciting. I truly believe we are going to be right back with the top teams in the state. Losing that game to Reading was a feeling most of us won’t forget.”