Hallett has strong finish to win tourney
PI girl is state junior champion
By Quinn Graves
Student Intern
CUMBERLAND — It was a triumphant week for one local high school golfer.
Presque Isle High School junior Jenna Hallett beat out a field of 15 participants to take home the Maine State Golf Association Junior Amateur Championship, held last Tuesday and Wednesday at the Val Halla Golf and Recreation Center.
Photo by Amber Waterman/Sun Journal
STATE CHAMPION — Jenna Hallett of Presque Isle beat a field of 15 golfers last week to win the Maine State Golf Association Junior Amateur Championship. The tournament was held at Val Halla in Cumberland. Hallett shot a 166 in her two rounds and won the event by six strokes. 
Hallett had a gross score of 166 over the two rounds of play and won the tournament by six strokes.
This was Hallett’s first time participating in the event and playing at the course, making the unpredictable terrain a challenge.
“The conditions were tough because the course was dry and the greens were hard and fast,” Hallett said.
Though her rounds did come with their share of ups and downs, she was able to find some momentum late in the first day and carry it through.
“In the first round I struggled a bit on the front nine,” she said. “I received a devastating nine on hole seven, which was hard to overcome, but I was able to get back on track with six pars and a birdie right after that.”
She trailed by four strokes after Tuesday’s round, but the following day started with a birdie on the opening hole, recorded an impressive 36 on the front nine and finished with an 80 to win going away.
Although many golfers in the area work hard to improve during the warmer months, in a climate where the snow can linger until May, playing year-round isn’t an option. Even so, that doesn’t stop Hallett from constantly working on her game.
“In the winters I work on my swing with [Presque Isle Country Club professional] Barry Madore in the gym,” Hallett said. “Also, Andy Helstrom at County Physical Therapy has helped me become stronger through the conditioning I get from him year round.”
Even though winning a junior state championship is enough to boost anybody’s golf credentials, it doesn’t lessen Hallett’s drive to continue to be her best.
As a member of the Presque Isle High School golf team, she won the Penobscot Valley Conference girls’ title as a sophomore and placed in the top 10 at the state championship.
As for her outlook for the upcoming school season, she has confidence that her hard work will pay off.
“I’ll definitely be hitting the ball a lot further and a lot better, so I’ll be turning in some better scores hopefully,” Hallett said.
She is the daughter of Greg and Jennifer Hallett of Presque Isle.
