Ali Prescott of Fort Kent gave an indication of her potential in practice rounds before the girls’ state golf championship at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.
She traveled to Natanis the day before the tournament and shot a 74 from the ladies’ tees.
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A few days earlier she shot a 73 and a 74 at Fort Kent Golf Course, also from the ladies’ tees.
During the season, Prescott played from the men’s tees and anywhere from the No. 2 to No. 4 positions for the Warriors. She shot a 97 from the men’s tees to qualify for the schoolgirl tournament.
Prescott, a freshman, followed her hot practice rounds with a 79 to win the state title in October. She was an unknown at Natanis but rode a hot putter to upset the favorites.
Prescott, the Maine Sunday Telegram/Portland Press Herald girls’ golf MVP, won the state tournament and held her own against boys during the season. She had a 47-stroke average in matches.
“When she shot those scores at Fort Kent from the ladies’ tees, Ali opened a lot of eyes,” said her coach, Dan Chasse, a chiropractor in Fort Kent.
“She showed a different game. She had high expectations when she came down for the tournament.
“I was cautiously optimistic. It’s kind of a Cinderella story.”
Prescott was invited to play Friday in the pro-am of the LPGA Legends Tour Open Championship in Innisbrook, Fla., in a group with Hollis Stacy. Chasse said Prescott has befriended some LPGA senior pros who have helped with her game.
“She’s the first one in the family to play,” said Chasse. “Her father just started playing but her mom doesn’t play.”
Prescott is home-schooled, which might have worked to her advantage. During the fall, when other student-athletes were in school, Prescott was practicing golf.
“I think Ali was torn between playing soccer or golf heading into the season,” said Chasse. “Luckily for us she chose golf. She hits a long ball. She had a hot putter at states.”
Prescott knew if she broke 80, she had a good chance of winning. Playing her last hole, a par 5, she needed a birdie for a 79. She sank a putt to achieve it, which was good for a three-shot victory. On the 10th hole, an uphill par 3, Prescott avoided a double bogey when he dropped a 25-footer.
“Ali played Little League against boys,” said Chasse. “That and playing from the men’s tees in matches had to help her when she played from the ladies’ tees in the schoolgirl championship.”
It’s obvious Prescott is an all-around athlete who enjoys competing. Be it skiing, softball or golf, she has the ability to focus. Golf just happened to be the sport where her focus was this fall, and it paid off.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
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