Under the gray skies of the state championship, senior golf captains Peier Li and Maddie Smith teed off one last time for Westford Academy. Wind howled across the choppy fairways as the pressure mounted. For the two golfers it wasn’t just another tournament — it was the finale of their four-year story of grit, growth, and golf at Westford Academy.
Li and Smith both qualified individually for the 2025 MIAA Division I Fall Golf Tournament, a feat that few high school players ever achieve. For Li, it marked a fitting end to several years of dedication and discipline. For Smith, it was one last chance to represent the Ghosts before beginning her next journey in collegiate golf at the University of Memphis.
“The moment I realized I made it to the state championship, it felt bittersweet,” Li said. “It’s obviously cool to qualify individually, but I would’ve loved it more if the whole team had qualified.”
Smith had a similar reaction.
“It was definitely a mix of emotions,” Smith said. “Overall [the team] had a very good season and I was happy that I had the opportunity to represent the Ghosts at States.
To put their achievements into perspective, one has to go back to the beginnings of their careers. Li used to live in New Jersey, right behind a driving range. On the evenings, he and his dad would walk out and collect golf balls to hit them back to the course.
“That right there, [collecting golf balls], was really where it first began,” Li said. “I honestly don’t know why I stuck with golf, this game can really suck. You can be practicing all the time and your game will stay stuck in neutral or it might suddenly disappear. It sounds cliche but you have to believe you can get better.”
Like Li, golf runs in Smith’s family. Her two sisters, Molly and Morgan, both played for WA and currently compete at the collegiate level. Her sister Morgan attends the University of Georgia, while her other sister, Molly, goes to the University of Central Florida.
“My two older sisters [are] what made me really stick with [golf] at a young age,” Smith said. “The cool things they experienced before me made me want to try to be there [at their level] one day.”
Senior Chase Dubuque, the third WA Golf captain, unfortunately didn’t qualify for the state championships despite having a strong season.
“When I found out the team didn’t make it, I was a little disappointed in myself knowing I could’ve played better, and also knowing sectionals would be my last big tournament,” Dubuque said. “But I was really happy for Maddie and Peier and also proud of the season I had.”
While Dubuque didn’t qualify for States, he still hopes he left a lasting legacy at WA.
“I hope my legacy is being remembered not just for my golf skills, but for the way I led and supported the team,” Dubuque said. “I want teammates to know I tried to encourage them, keep the energy positive, and help everyone be their best, both on and off the course.”
Li and Smith were challenged a lot throughout their 4 years playing for WA. From every setback they endured they got stronger and sharper, and that’s due to their discipline.
“I feel like golf has taught me maturity and respect for myself and others,” Smith said. “It’s taught me to persevere and it has given me some of the best relationships in my life.”
According to Li, he mastered the art of discipline through golf and the pressure it puts on individual players.
“Golf definitely taught me discipline,” Li said. “You can’t hide behind a team if you do bad, that’s just 100% all on you, and sometimes things go south for no reason.”
Golf can be a demanding sport, and captains carry a lot of that weight for the team.
“The hardest part about being captain is staying positive for your teammates even when you’re not having your best day,” Dubuque said. “It’s not always easy to put your own round aside, but being there to encourage others and keep the team’s energy up is a big part of the job.”
According to Li, for all three captains, golf wasn’t just about perfect swings or low scores. It was about resilience, trust, and showing up – for themselves and each other.
“I’d sum up my golf career with the word ‘growth,’” Dubuque said. “Each year I improved a little, both in my game and my mindset. I didn’t get a big opportunity until senior year, but staying patient made it all worth it when I finally got the chance to prove myself.”
According to Li, golf can get tricky, but that’s part of the game. Smith and Li have spent countless hours on the green perfecting their craft, and improving not only themselves, but their teammates as well. Because of their grit, they were able to compete together at States and end their career on a high note.
“I’ve been in practically every possible scenario. I’ve won by a lot, lost by a lot, came back from behind to win, squandered leads, had my ups and downs within the span of a week and sometimes been playing perfectly for an entire season,” Li said. “At the end of the day, you only go to high school once, and you should always have fun when you can.”
