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| Staff photo/Kevin Sjoberg Robbie Watson of the Fort Fairfield Tigers hits a drive during Friday’s Aroostook League golf championship match, held at Mars Hill Country Club. The event also served as a qualifier for the upcoming state tourneys. Watson had the low round of the day with a three-over-par 75 to help his team earn its fifth consecutive league title. |
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
MARS HILL — The Fort Fairfield Tigers won their fifth consecutive Aroostook League golf title, defeating host Central Aroostook by 20 strokes and three other schools by larger margins at Mars Hill Country Club Friday.
In addition to qualifying for the Oct. 12 state team championship at Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro, the Tigers will send five players into the state individual championship, to be held Oct. 19, also at Natanis.
FF coach Larry Gardner said a practice round the previous day proved to be beneficial as two of the team’s players had never played the course, and when Friday rolled around, everyone was ready to compete.
“I was very pleased with the team’s performance. Everyone played very well from our No. 1 through No. 7 players,” Gardner said. “It helped getting out the day before as we got a chance to hit to certain spots, as the front nine is especially tight with no need to use a driver on a lot of holes. It also helped to get the speed of the greens down as well.”
Robbie Watson, a junior, nabbed medalist honors with an 18-hole total of 75. His closest competition for the top spot was provided by a teammate, senior Noah Bernard, who came in nine strokes back with an 84.
“Robbie had a great round and has been playing really well lately,” Gardner added. “His score included a two-stroke penalty, so considering that and the pressure of the event, his play was outstanding. Noah also had a great round and this being his last year I was really happy to see him win another championship and qualify for the state individual championship.
“As a coach, it’s certainly nice to have the top two golfers in our league on our team,” he added.
Also qualifying for the Tigers was Vincent Campbell, who used a back-nine score of 41 to make the cut with a 90, which is the maximum score allowed to qualify. Fort Fairfield also has two girls who will play in the state tourney after beating the 110 cutoff. Jordann Coiley will make her second trip to the States after scoring a 99, while Shyla Bouchard carded a 107.
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| Staff photo/Kevin Sjoberg Meghan Flanagin of the Limestone-MSSM Eagles finishes off a hole with a successful putt during Friday’s Aroostook League golf championships, held at Mars Hill Country Club. Flanagin will play in her third individual state tournament Oct. 19 after qualifying with an 89 Friday. The state tourney will take place at Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro. |
Fort’s other scorers were Jon Bernard, a freshman who came in with a 94, and Larry Warner, who shot a 105.
By placing second with 372 strokes, the Panthers also earned a trip to the state team tourney. CA had two individual qualifiers in Chandler Brewer, who shot steady 44s for the front and back for an 88, and Alex Folsom, who had to scramble with a 42 after shooting a 49 on the front to make the cut by one with an 89. Kenny Bell just missed out with a 92 and Zack Grass, who recently returned from an injury, rounded out the Panther scorers with a 103.
Hodgdon took third with a 400 and was led by Ben Tuttle, who qualified individually with a 90. Ashley Wallace had a 98 and will play in the schoolgirl state event.
Limestone-MSSM’s Meghan Flanagin posted an 89 for the best score among females on the day.
“She struggled with a few holes, but I’m confident that she’ll do well at the state match,” said Eagle coach Tom Albert. “We’ll practice hard these next couple weeks, working primarily on her short game, which has gotten a little rusty due to weather and not being able to get out and practice.”
Flanagin has played in the last two state tourneys, placing second as a sophomore and fifth last year.
Southern Aroostook, paced by Parker Walker’s 100, had a team score of 474 Friday. Ashland, led by Cody Blair’s 104, also competed and scored a 611.
