PORTAGE LAKE, Maine — The Ashland Hornets captured the Aroostook League golf championship for the first time in 14 years, outscoring both Central Aroostook and Hodgdon to earn a berth in the Class C state tournament.
Ashland totaled 421 strokes during the 18-hole event held on the Hornets’ home course at Portage Hills Country Club Wednesday. Junior Graham Berry carded a 94 to share medalist honors with Hodgdon sophomore Nathan Tuttle.
“Graham played one of his better rounds of the year,” said Ashland coach Jordan Beaulier. “Being a medalist was somewhat of a goal for him but the big thing for him and everybody on the team was to make it to the states.”
Also for the Hornets, junior Sean Montpetit had a 106, senior Jack Routhier a 109, junior Tristan Pelletier a 112 and sophomore Alden Routhier a 122.
Due to lack of numbers, Ashland didn’t even field a team from 2013 to 2016, so rising to the top this quickly was a pleasant surprise for the coach.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this group,” Beaulier said. “We came in last place in this tournament a year ago, so to come in first is a huge accomplishment.”
Beaulier said his players put in a lot of work during the summer, which springboarded the Hornets to the championship.
“They practiced every day … they were really determined to do it and they did,” he added.
Central Aroostook was the runner-up with a score of 458. The Panthers were led by Will Durost’s 97. Stetson Nicholas came in with a 102 and Taia Tilley, the lone female in the field, had a 119. Nate Hawksley (140) and Devin Dionne (148) were the other competitors for CA.
For Hodgdon, in addition to Tuttle’s 94, Bryon Barton carded a 112, Elijah Matheson a 131 and Lucas Matheson had a 156.
By finishing first out of the three teams, Ashland qualified for the state championships, which are set for Oct. 6 at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro. The last time the Hornets reached the state tourney was 2010, when their coach was a senior.
Nobody at the Aroostook League championship reached the required score to advance to the individual state tourney, also to be played at Natanis Oct. 13. Boys needed to shoot a 90 or better, while the girls’ cutoff was a 100.
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- Sean Montpetit of Ashland attempts a putt while playing partners Nathan Tuttle of Hodgdon and Stetson Nicholas of Central Aroostook watch during the Aroostook League Championships Wednesday at Portage Hills Country Club. (Kevin Sjoberg)
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- Ashland’s Graham Berry attempts a putt during Wednesday’s Aroostook League Championships at Portage Hills Country Club. Berry was the co-medalist with a 94, tying Hodgdon’s Nathan Tuttle for the honor. (Kevin Sjoberg)
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- Stetson Nicholas of Central Aroostook hits a shot from the fairway during his round in the Aroostook League Championships Wednesday at Portage Hills Country Club. (Kevin Sjoberg)
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- Will Durost of Central Aroostook tries a long putt during the Aroostook League Championships at Portage Hills Country Club Wednesday. (Kevin Sjoberg)
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- Nathan Tuttle of Hodgdon attempts a putt during his round in the Aroostook League Championships Wednesday at Portage Hills Country Club. Tuttle was the co-medalist with a 94. (Kevin Sjoberg)
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- Bryon Barton of Hodgdon hits a shot from the fairway at Wednesday’s Aroostook League Championships held at Portage Hills Country Club. (Kevin Sjoberg)
