WELLS — There’s an empty spot on Nick Audet’s mantle, where he had hoped to put an individual state golf championship. But it’s about the only thing that the Wells senior didn’t accomplish in his four-year career, which started and ended with Audet as the No. 1 player for the Warriors.

Audet often found himself shooting a nine-hole score in the high 30s or low 40s, and always against the best competition the Western Maine Conference had to offer.

In four years with the Warriors, Audet was never able to play anything less than his best game, and way more often than not, he did. Audet’s consistency and constant success are the reason that he has earned the title of 2013 Journal Tribune Golfer of the Year.

“I had a feeling he was going to have a good year. He’s improved every year, he played some very good golf this summer,” said Jay Audet, Nick’s father and the head coach for the Warriors. “He’s been our leader, been our rock, our foundation since his freshman year.”

The elder Audet said he put his son in the No. 1 spot as a freshman ”“ a spot that Nick proved he deserved ”“ and he has been winning points ever since. The Wells coach said that Nick has probably played more than 40 matches as the top player in his career.

“He’s never really bothered by that level of competition. He’s got a great demeanor for golf,” said Jay Audet. “I think he lets things roll off him. He doesn’t let his last shot ever get in the way of his next shot.”

“I just tried to play the best golf I could. Sometimes I did, and sometimes I didn’t,” said Nick.

The senior said that was also the mindset for the whole team this season, as the Warriors tried to get back to the state team championships.

“We really didn’t focus on our expectations too much. We just went out and played. We didn’t try to focus on too many things, just because golf can get in your head a little bit. It’s one of the most mentally challenging sports out there.”

Wells did accomplish its goal of qualifying for states ”“ something it failed to do the year before ”“ with Audet leading the way. He shot a 77 at a windy, rainy Willowdale Golf Course in Scarborough on Oct. 7 as the Warriors finished third in the WMC team qualifier. Audet’s round was only bested by former state individual champ Reese McFarlane of Cape Elizabeth.

“It was just a team effort,” said Nick Audet. “I was proud of the team.”

Audet shot even better in the state team championships, as he carded a 74 at Natanis in Vassalboro on Oct. 12, helping the Warriors place ninth.

“I know a lot of people were excited (on the team),” said Audet. “It was pretty nerve-wracking, when you’re out there in a state tournament, trying to focus on yourself ”¦ instead of just the team.”

Audet hoped to cap off his high school career with a strong finish in the state individual championships a week later at Natanis. Instead, Audet shot an 84 and finished 15th out of 31 players in Class B.

“When it came time to perform individually, I just had an off day,” said Audet. “But what can you do? Get past it. Just move on.

“I didn’t play like I wanted to in the states, but all four years it was fun. I had a good time.”

Jay Audet said the finale to Nick’s career can’t define what the entire four years meant, and what he accomplished.

“I think Nick has to look at his career. If you look at his career, he was our No. 1 man for four years,” said Jay Audet. “I can’t think of anyone that’s been a golfer at Wells High School that’s had as good a career as Nick, playing as many matches as he has, against the best competition.

“Aside from the state competition, he’s had a great career.”

Audet twice qualified for the state individual championships in his career, with a 10th place finish last year added to his 15th place this year. He was also a WMC All-Star all four years.

This is the end of the line for Audet as far as competing on a team, as he will be attending a college that doesn’t offer any sports. But he said that it will always be a hobby, and, as he said: “I guess I’ll be playing ”˜til I die.”

— Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.