Shire golfers head to state meet

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    The Houlton High School varsity golf team is readying for the Class C state team championship on Saturday at Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro.
    Playing for the Shiretowners will be Cole McLaughlin, Cameron Clark, Ryan Dee, Alex Donovan and Lucas Peabody, with most of the players very familiar with the Arrowhead course. The team will travel down Friday for a practice round.
    “The fifth person was hard to choose since there was less than a stroke between the number five and number seven player,” said Grant. “It’s a great problem to have.”
Lucas Peabody
    With a relatively young squad, the Shiretowners will have to keep the nerves in check.
    “They haven’t played their best golf yet,” said Houlton coach Dave Grant. “I’m serious.”
    Grant believes his team needs to shoot between 310-320 on the 18-hole course.
    “If they keep their heads, they can do it,” added Grant.
    Last Thursday, the Shiretowners captured the Class C Penobscot Valley Conference team championship and PVC regional title at JaTo Highlands in Lincoln.
    But, Grant pointed out nerves played a big part in their team score at JaTo.
    “After six holes, couple were eight over and not playing well,” explained Grant. “I told them what is past, is past. You can’t take it back. There’s nothing you can do about it.”
    The team players responded and Grant said, “they really played really well the last 12 holes.”
    The Shiretowners pulled out a team score of 338 and the PVC regionals score was 343.
    Grant noted that Cameron Clark and Parker Brewer both played outstanding in the PVC championships, as well as Lexi Emerson.
    “I proud of Lexi in her first year,” said Grant. “She qualified for individual states. She worked hard. She went to junior golf all summer and it shows.”
    Leading Houlton scorers were Cameron J. Clark, 80; Parker Brewer, 85; Cole McLaughlin, 86; Alex Donovan, 87; Ryan Dee, 90; Lucas Peabody, 91; and Garrett Putnam 105.
    “The scores were a little high,” said Grant. “The wind was a big factor along with some young nerves.”
    The Houlton team fields two seniors, two sophomores and six freshmen.
    “This was a great experience for them,” added Grant.
    Qualifying for the state Individual Golf Tournament are Clark, McLaughlin, Donovan and for the girls division Emerson, who has qualified as a freshmen.
Garrett Putnam