By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
VASSALBORO, Maine — Presque Isle junior Jenna Hallett and Fort Fairfield junior Robbie Watson are state champions after putting together excellent rounds during Saturday’s state individual golf tournament held at Natanis Golf Course. Hallett didn’t let an injured knee, which has since required surgery, prevent her from shooting a four-over-par 76 to tie Lincoln Academy’s Bailey Plourde for top honors in the schoolgirl competition.
Hallett had Meghan Flanagin of Limestone-MSSM in her foursome and the two players battled back and forth throughout the day. The 18th hole, which was the third to the last for their group, proved to be the pivotal one in the round. Flanagin had led by a stroke, but Hallett made par and Flanagin had a double bogey for a two-shot swing, giving Hallett the lead for good.
Hallett went birdie-par on her final two holes to close things out.
“I was pretty confident going in, but I was having knee problems early and wasn’t hitting the ball as purely and crisply as I usually do,” Hallett said. “I struggled for the first couple holes. But then I got a couple birdies and started parring and that put me back on track.”
Daren Hunter, Hallett’s coach, was glad to witness the showdown between the two County golfers.
“It was about as good of a matchup that you could have,” he said. “It was extremely fun to watch as Meghan played great conservative golf, stayed out of trouble and was excellent chipping and putting. I’m proud of Jenna for gutting it out.”
Hallett has been playing with a broken bone in her left knee, along with some cartilage damage, which required surgery in Massachusetts Monday morning. She has been told to expect a recovery period of six to nine months.
“It has definitely affected me throughout the season,” she said. “I’ve had a hard time finding the proper way to distribute my weight and it’ll lock up and I’d end up shanking it or pulling it.”
Hallet, who placed 11th as a freshman and seventh as a sophomore, said the victory wasn’t just for her, but for many individuals who have been a major part of her support system.
“I wanted to win it for me, for Presque Isle Country Club, for my family and for everyone who has supported me,” Hallett said. “It feels good to finally have accomplished this after having not performed well the past two years down here.
“It feels like 1,000 pounds of weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” she added.
Meanwhile, Watson shot a 1-under-par 71 Saturday to become the first-ever Tiger golfer to win a state individual title.
Watson claimed a five-stroke victory in the Class C tourney. He also tied for the low round of the day, regardless of class.
“He was steady all day with his play from tee to green as he constantly put pressure on his playing partners, hitting his approach shots in tight and making several key putts,” said his coach, Larry Gardner.
Watson’s round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-five 17th hole.
“Robbie played one of the best rounds I’ve seen him play, especially in a pressure situation,” Gardner added. “He played the course and didn’t worry about what his playing partners were doing.”
He ended up five strokes better than Mitch Lorenz of St. Dominic’s, Adam Hachey of Winthrop and Chandler Longfellow of Wiscasset.
With the victories, both qualified for the New England Championships to be held in June of 2014. Hallett doesn’t expect she will physically be ready to compete, but Watson is planning to play in the boys’ tournament.
In other local results, Presque Isle’s Michael Boone shot an 88, which was good for 13th in Class B, and teammate Liam Hughes had a 93.
The Tigers’ Noah Bernard had an 80, placing him 11th in Class C. Fort’s Vince Campbell (99), Shyla Bouchard (112) and Jordann Coiley (113) also competed.
For Central Aroostook, Alex Folsom shot a 90 and Chandler Brewer a 92.
