Shiretown golfers win PVC championship; ready for state tourney

Photograph courtesy of Houlton High School yearbook staff
SHIRES — Playing for Houlton High School’s varsity golf team are, from left, Cameron Clark, Lucas Peabody, Cole McLaughlin, Alex Donovan, Doug Dickison and Isaac Brown.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    The Houlton High School varsity golf team competed in the Penobscot Valley Conference Regional golf championship last Thursday at JaTo Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln.
    According to Houlton coach Marty Gervais, this was the day the young Shiretowners would prove their ability to play at the state level.
    “The players felt they had something to prove,” he added.
    The Shires didn’t let their coach down as they won the Class C tournament and qualified in first place for the state competition.
    After graduating seven seniors from last year’s squad, the Houlton team was up against the wall coming into this season.
    “I felt quite strongly we had enough talent, our problem was the lack of experience,” explained Gervais. “None of this Houlton team had competed at the tournament level. I felt we were in the top four in our region and if we played well we would qualify.”
    “I told the boys all we had to do was have a top-three finish and we would make it to the States,” said Gervais.
    When Gervais arrived at the Regionals, he found out because the number of teams were down this year in Class C, only two teams would represent their schools at the States.
    “The boys were already nervous enough,” Gervais said. “I was glad they didn’t find out until the round was over only two teams would go on.”
    Halfway through the match, Gervais noted his team was on track.
    “Cole McLaughlin led the charge at three over par and the rest of the squad was playing well and staying out of trouble,” he said.
    Alex Donovan and Doug Dickison, the two middle men, were playing well, as were the freshmen players Lucas Peabody and Cameron Clark. 
    “Everyone was playing to their season scoring averages and I felt good about our chances,” Gervais added.
    But, long waits and tough holes on the back nine took its toll on the Shiretowners, who managed to piece together a team score of 357 — good enough to win by six strokes. McLaughlin’s 82 was the key in the match, while the rest of the team “kept their composure even though they didn’t play their best,” Gervais said.
    Gervais is hoping his players come up with their best play Monday when they travel to Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro for the State Class C championships.
    “We have a lot of preparing to do,” said Gervais. “None of this squad has seen the course, which makes it tough.” 
    The Shires will get a practice round on Sunday, which will be paramount, on the Arrowhead course. Arrowhead is relatively open on the front nine and then tightens up on the back nine, according to Gervais.
    “The greens will be tough on the boys,” Gervais said. “They are not used to the large multi-tier greens that Arrowhead has.”
    In October, the weather typically is cool, windy or wet.
    “For this team to compete, we need to toughen up mentally,” Gervais explained. “Playing golf in regional and state tournaments in October is a challenge. Because of the large number of players in these tournaments, you can expect a six-hour round of golf. The team that has patience, the ability to put the bad shots behind them to stay focused will do well.”
    Last Tuesday, the Shiretowners defeated Fort Kent, 167-209 at the Houlton Community Country Club, with McLaughlin picking up low medalist honors with a score of 36.
    Donovan finished with a 40, followed by Clark with a 45; Peabody, 46; Dickison, 50 and Isaac Brown, 60.