The golf course could be a little soggy from today’s rain when the top schoolboy and schoolgirl golfers converge Saturday on Natanis Golf Course for the state individual golf championships, but barring more heavy rain, the tournament will be played.
The Maine Principals’ Association doesn’t want to postpone the tournament and hold it next Saturday because having it a week later could mean even more unsuitable weather. But if the MPA has to do it, it will. Hopefully, today’s rain will have moved out.
Titles will be awarded for boys in classes A, B and C, with one overall title given for girls. Play is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
There are no clear-cut favorites, although Tim Millett of North Yarmouth Academy comes as close as anyone as a two-time defending champion in Class C.
Laura Grant of Greely is the defending girls’ champion but will be challenged by Karlee Soracco of Leavitt, Kelsey Leeman of Lincoln Academy and Megan Bickford of Greely.
Monica Austin of Yarmouth was second-low qualifier in the combined SMAA/Western Maine Conference tournament with an 81. Greely has qualified five girls for the tournament and Yarmouth has four.
Joe Walp of Deering is a favorite in Class A. Walp has had a strong high school season after winning the Maine junior title last summer.
Walp’s teammate, Rocco Spizuoco, led the Rams with a 75 last week in the state team championship won by Gorham in a tiebreaker over Brunswick and Deering. Walp shot 77.
Cheverus has qualified four golfers, led by No. 1 player Kyle Bourassa, who led SMAA qualifiers with a 75. Other Stags in the tournament are Nick Burns, Andrew Cloutier and Quinn O’Hanlon.
Mike Arsenault of Gorham qualified with a 79. He shot 78 in the team championship to lead the Rams to their second state title and first since 1998.
Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference golfers expected to do well are Kyle Alexander, Brewer; Kyle Bonefant, Cony: Chris Howat, Bangor; Nate McCue, Brunswick and Jacob Roddy of Messalonskee. Alexander led KVAC qualifiers with a 77 and Bonefant was next with a 78.
In Class B, Connor Burfeind of Falmouth is a favorite along with Jamie Jackson of Belfast and Malcolm Oliver of Lincoln Academy. Burfeind had a 74 at the team championship to lead the Yachtsmen to the Class B title.
Challenging Millett in Class C could be Ian Gervais and Gaige Flewelling of state champion Houlton. Flewelling was the low qualifier from the Penobscot Valley Conference with a 74.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
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