By Gloria Austin
Special to Pioneer Times
HOULTON, Maine — Even though the rich colors of autumn are trickling down to barren ground and the state individual golf championships are complete, Ryan Dee’s senior golf year is still not finished.
Dee, who captured the state individual runner-up title at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro on Oct 17, 2015, still has work to do on sharpening his golf skills through the winter months, as he will be competing in the New England championships at Brentwood Golf Course in Keene, N.H. in June of 2016
“I wanted to qualify for the New Englands my senior year and I was successful,” Dee said. “I feel very good about what I have accomplished in the last four years.”
Dee has been to the state team championships all four years of high school and has played in the individual state meet three times. He didn’t make the cut his freshman year, as he lost in a playoff for the final spot. During his first year of varsity, the Houlton team was state runner-up and in his sophomore year, Dee placed individually in the top 10 with a score of 79.
This year, the Houlton High School golf team placed fourth out of 12 teams in the States in early October, with Dee leading his team and walking away with the Class C low medal honors, shooting a round of 77.
The Houlton team was 27 strokes behind first-place Mattanawcook with a score of 350.
“I was not really expecting a team victory this year because we weren’t as strong as we have been in the last two years depth-wise,” explained Dee.
However, Dee has been the go-to man for the Houlton golf team throughout the season and on a very windy and brisk day, he stepped up again as the leader.
“I managed to pull off a fairly good round,” he said. “After a stretch of rough holes, I came in with the low in Class C.”
Dee did not have a stellar start in the state individual meet two weeks ago. On the first hole of the tournament, Dee scored a triple bogey — three strokes over par — which can prey mentally on a golfer’s psyche.
“I was able to calm down and find my focus and play the next 17 holes very well,” he added. “My biggest asset in the state meet was knowing it was my last high school match.”
Dee, who plays more conservative during team meets, said he opens up his game when it is single competition.
“For individual tournaments, I play more aggressively and hit shots I normally wouldn’t if I was playing for the team,” Dee explained. “I take a lot more risks when I’m on my own because I’m the only one that suffers the consequences.”
Dee’s striking golf career started when family members, who love to play, encouraged him to try the game. So, he signed up for the Houlton Junior Golf Program at Houlton Country Club under the guidance of Bruce Nason.
“It definitely got me started at a young age,” he said.”Bruce does a great job working with kids that are [interested] in the sport and [the program] has produced a lot of good golfers.”
Many times with youth sports, an athlete begins and then over time, the interest wanes. But, not with Dee and golf. He fell in love with a lifelong sport.
“Being outdoors and just having a good time drew me to the game,” he said. “It is convenient to be able to play by yourself or with a group of people.”
Before the New England Golf Championships, Dee will be turning his efforts to the baseball diamond.
“I am looking forward to baseball season,” he said. “I am definitely ready to start getting my arm loose.”
A year ago, the Houlton Shiretown baseball team lost in a tough quarterfinal matchup to Mattanawcook Academy.
“I am hoping to throw some good games this year and earn my keep at shortstop,” said Dee. “We lost a few key seniors, but the team is still very capable. I am definitely looking forward to being apart of a team again.”
Throughout the next seven months, Dee will continuing preparing for the biggest match of his high school golf career. Dee hones his skills playing Hilltop Lanes’s golf simulator.
“Hitting balls into simulators is great when it comes to getting swings in,” he explained. “But, I spent a lot more time on the putting green this year. I realized that most of the strokes I take are right around the greens. My short game has been solid this year so it has paid off. I have also learned the smart way to play these golf courses over the years that has lowered my scores significantly.
“I’ll probably bring the clubs out a few times this winter to get ready for the New Englands,” he added.
