The soaking rains of Thursday and Friday will soften the greens but not the pressure for golfers competing in Saturday’s Maine Principals’ Association individual golf state championships at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.
At the 10 a.m. shotgun start, Class A and B boys will compete on the Tomahawk Course, while girls and Class C boys will tee off on the Arrowhead Course.
Additional Images
Many of the golfers played on the same course for last Saturday’s team state championships.
Boys qualified based on the total number of schools at each qualifying tournament (eg: 10 schools = 10 qualifiers, plus ties) and by shooting a score of 90 or lower. All girls who shot 110 or better at their qualifier advanced to states.
After battling a dry course with fast greens last weekend, golfers should find the conditions much more inviting, to the point where they may be more aggressive with their approach shots.
The course conditions aren’t the only thing that will be different Saturday. The every-man-for-himself nature of the individual championships represents a shift from the prevalent high school golf mentality.
“As a coach, it’s a different kind of day,” said Winthrop coach Lonney Steeves, whose team won the Class C team title last week. “This week is kind of strange because you’ve been so team-oriented all year long. Then you get down to this and it’s like ‘You’re on your own.'”
Several golfers stood out on their own last Saturday, including Winthrop’s Taylor Morang, who turned in the second-lowest score of the day, 4-under 68, to lead the Ramblers to the title.
Morang expected the confidence boost from that round to carry over to the following week.
“I haven’t been able to shoot low out here yet, so it’s definitely a good feeling,” Morang said.
“It’s got to be good for his confidence,” Steeves said. “He played Friday night (before the team championship) and shot a 71. Then to be five-under standing on the 18th tee (on Saturday), that’s got to be pretty heady for a kid. I’ve got to think he’s more relaxed.”
At last year’s individual championship, Morang challenged the eventual champion, Fort Fairfield’s Robbie Watson, before falling back the last few holes into fifth place.
Watson will be back to defend his title. Also expected to contend in Class C are last year’s runner-up, Mitch Lorenz of St. Dominic, and Houlton’s Cameron Clark. Winthrop’s Anthony Owens and Adam Hachey could also be factors.
The top contenders in Class B are expected to come from the top three teams at last Saturday’s tournament — champion Camden Hills, Cape Elizabeth and Maine Central Institute.
The Huskies have three qualifiers, all with a shot of medaling if they play well — brothers Gavin and Eric Dugas and Carter Pearl.
Gavin Dugas won the KVAC Shootout at Rockland Golf Club two weeks ago. Pearl shot a team-low 76 at Tomahawk last Saturday.
After turning in a 77 in the team competition, Gavin Dugas said he hopes to improve upon last week’s score. But he didn’t anticipate any changes in his routine.
“I’m going to practice and play all week, same as (before the team championship),” the senior said. “I just hope I play better.”
Also expected to contend in Class B are Daulton Wickenden of Camden Hills and Cape Elizabeth’s Reese McFarlane,
Staff writer Evan Crawley contributed to this story.
Randy Whitehouse — 621-5638
rwhitehouse@mainetoday.com
Twitter: @RAWmaterial33
Send questions/comments to the editors.
