VASSALBORO – Falmouth High moved to Class A in golf this season because of enrollment.

But as the Yachtsmen showed Monday at Natanis Golf Course, it doesn’t matter what class they play in. State championships just seem to follow.

Additional Photos

Craig Decato shot a 76 at Natanis on Monday to lead York to the Class B state championship by 16 shots over Yarmouth and 24 over Presque Isle. Photos by Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

Matt Packard was one of the two Falmouth golfers who tied for low score Monday as the Yachtsmen, in their first Class A season, won the state title.

Jackson Berman of Cape Elizabeth keeps his eyes on the ball while sending it onto the green during the Class B state meet, which was won by York.

Mike Haas-Zanghi of Cheverus chips onto the green during the Class A state meet. The Stags, who beat Falmouth in the regular season, finished second.

Falmouth captured its first Class A title to go with three in Class B and four in Class C.

In what was expected to be a tight Class A, the Yachtsmen blew away the competition, winning by 19 shots. Falmouth was led by Will Bucklin and Matt Packard, who each shot a 74. Nick Franco chipped in with an 81 and Joe Lesniak with an 83 for a 312 team score.

The best four out of five finishes count toward a team’s score. Falmouth, which won Class B a year ago, bettered its score of last year by three shots.

Again, Class A and B teams played the Tomahawk course at Natanis. Class C played Arrowhead.

York won its fourth Class B title, and St. Dominic High of Auburn took Class C for the third time in the last five years.

Seniors Bucklin, Packard and Franco played in the top five for Falmouth last season. Their experience helped guide the team in its first season in the Southern Maine Activities Association.

The biggest difference playing in Class A?

“We had a tougher regular season than before,” said Packard.

Tougher as in better competition. The Yachtsmen went 8-2 and won the northern division of the SMAA, but many of the matches were tight. Their two losses were away to Cheverus and Scarborough.

Falmouth qualified for the state meet by winning its division. The SMAA’s three divisional winners — also Gorham and Kennebunk — made the state tournament while three more schools — Deering, Cheverus and Scarborough — made the states by being the top three teams at the league qualifier at Natanis a week ago.

“We wouldn’t have made the states if it had been just the league qualifier,” said Packard.

On one of the best days for weather in tournament history, Falmouth showed its talent and depth.

While Bucklin and Packard were close to par all day, Franco and Lesniak had to maintain their composure and grind it out. They kept it together late in their rounds.

“Nick Franco got a couple of birdies to bring it back to 81,” said Herrick, who also coached Falmouth to titles in the other classes.

Herrick said he’s fortunate to coach in a town that’s rich in golf.

“There are three private golf courses in town. There are a lot of kids who have played at an early age,” he said.

SMAA northern division rivals Cheverus and Deering finished second and third, respectively. Cheverus finished at 331 and Deering was at 332. Joe Walp of Deering tied Bucklin and Packard with the low round in Class A at 74.

York totaled 322 to win Class B. Yarmouth was second at 338 and Presque Isle was third at 346.

Craig Decato led York with a 76. Other Wildcats counting toward the team total were Luke Claflin (80), Peter Carley (80), and Kyle Cone or Hayden Pate, both with 85s.

The 327 total by St. Dom’s won Class C by 28 strokes.

Fort Fairfield (355) and defending champion Houlton (368) were next.

The Saints had all five players shoot in the 80s, led by Anthony Fagone’s 80.

“All these kids played last year when we lost by a shot,” said Coach Kevin Cullen. “They worked hard every day in practice with a goal of returning here and winning.”

The boys’ and girls’ state individual championships will be played Saturday at Natanis. The boys will decide champions in classes A, B and C, and the girls will have one overall champion.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at: tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH

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