HOULTON, Maine — They may be small in number, but golfers from Southern Aroostook and Hodgdon are not lacking in talent this fall.
Both the Warrior and Hawk golf teams are experiencing a downturn in participation as neither team has the required golfers to score as a team. Each squad has just three members this fall.
The Hodgdon roster includes sophomore Joseph Griffin and freshmen David Tuttle and George Gaddis.
Longtime Hodgdon golf coach Mike Fleming said finding enough students who want to play golf has been challenging in recent years. Last year, the team had just four golfers.
Tuttle has been the team’s top golfer thus far, the coach said, shooting in the mid-40s.
“My hope is that David will be able to qualify for the state individual competition,” Fleming said.
The Southern Aroostook squad includes junior Buddy Porter, sophomore Connor Walker and freshman Trafton Russell. Walker and Porter were members of the team last season, while Trafton is a first-time golfer.
“We have good kids who are also good athletes,” veteran coach Phil Faulkner said.
Another Warrior golfer, Ethan Collier, broke his wrist and has been unable to compete, but Faulkner Hopes he may return before the end of the season.
The two squads met at the Houlton Community Golf Course on Wednesday for a match with Fort Fairfield. It marked just the second match of the season for Southern Aroostook and the third for Hodgdon.
Michael Bruce of Fort Fairfield was the medalist on the day with a 41, while his teammate Jonah Bernard shot a 52.
For Hodgdon, Tuttle shot a 50 and Griffin finished with a 63.
For Southern Aroostook, Walker shot a 58 and Porter finished with a 60.
The Aroostook League championship is scheduled for Sept. 23 at the Mars Hill Country Club. Central Aroostook, Ashland and Fort Kent are the other schools expected to compete in the Aroostook League tournament. Madawaska was the defending County champ, but is not fielding a squad this fall.
The top two teams at the County event, provided they finish with a cumulative total of less than 400 strokes, will earn berths in the Class C state championships set for Oct. 9 at Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro.
Neither Hodgdon, nor Southern Aroostook will be eligible for team scoring at the County championships as they do not have enough golfers to qualify as a team. They may, however, qualify as individuals.
NEW LIMERICK, Maine — September 8, 2021 — Jonah Bernard of Fort Fairfield follows his tee shot on the second hole of Houlton Community Golf Course Wednesday, Sept. 8 in a match with Hodgdon and Southern Aroostook. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
NEW LIMERICK, Maine — September 8, 2021 — Chipping his way onto the greens is Fort Fairfield’s Michael Bruce during a match with Hodgdon and Southern Aroostook at the Houlton Community Golf Course Sept. 8. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
NEW LIMERICK, Maine — September 8, 2021 — David Tuttle of Hodgdon putts on the greens of the third hole at Houlton Community Golf Course Wednesday, Sept. 8. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
NEW LIMERICK, Maine — September 8, 2021 — Joseph Griffin of Hodgdon follows his tee shot on the second hole of the Houlton Community Golf Course during a match with Fort Fairfield and Southern Arostook. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
NEW LIMERICK, Maine — September 8, 2021 — Southern Aroostook’s Connor Walker putts on the third hole of Houlton Community Golf Course during a Sept. 8 match with Hodgdon and Fort Fairfield. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
