Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

September 13, 2012

Golf Preview: 10 Golfers to Watch

By Tom Chard tchard@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

Ben Bell, Sanford, senior: Bell tied for the Class A individual title last fall with a 75 at Natanis. He had a 10-0 match record and a 38.0 stroke average during the regular season. He attends Sanford Christian Academy, which doesn't have a golf team.

Chris Billings, Cheverus, sophomore: Billings qualified for the individual championship as a freshman and played in this summer's Maine Amateur at Sunday River. His game continues to improve.

Mike Caron, Gorham, senior: Caron is a four-year starter. He shot 72 in the SMAA qualifying tournament last year to finish second, and had the same score in a league preseason tournament. He averaged 40.0 in nine-hole matches last season.

Red DeSmith, Yarmouth, senior: DeSmith is a four-year veteran. He's regarded as an excellent ball striker. DeSmith was a runner-up in the Maine Junior Championship this summer at Val Halla, his home course.

Joe Lesniak, Falmouth, junior: Lesniak is the top returning player for the defending Class A state champions. He played well in the Maine Junior Championship at Val Halla this summer and shot 75 on that same course in a preseason SMAA tournament.

Kyle Megathlin, Greely, senior: Megathlin is a four-year starter. He had a 39.9 stroke average and was named to the SMAA Central Division all-conference team last year. Megathlin played well in Val Halla tournaments this summer.

Reese McFarlane, Cape Elizabeth, sophomore: As a freshman, the left-hander won the Cheverie Award for the lowest stroke average (36.1) in the Western Maine Conference. In the first match of the year, McFarlane shot a 4-under 31 at Lake Kezar Country Club.

Brad Smith, Brunswick, senior: Smith has steadily improved each season and ranks as one of the top high school players in the state. He played on Maine's New England Junior team and turned in a 70 in the final round to place 11th overall. He had a 38 stroke average in matches last season.

Dalton Wickenden, Camden Hills, sophomore: Wickenden finished third in the Class B individual tournament with a 76 last year and was selected to the Maine Sunday Telegram all-state team. He had a 9-1 record during the regular season while averaging two strokes over par.

Jake Woodman, Thornton Academy, senior: Woodman has been a consistent player and is poised to become one of the SMAA's top players. He shot a 37 in an early match against Gorham. He had a 40.6 stroke average last season.

 

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