Hornet golfers favored
to capture County title
By Kevin Sjoberg
ASHLAND – A scheduling conflict prevented the Ashland Hornets from competing in the Aroostook County Championship in golf last fall, but this year the team heads into the match as the favorite to take the title.
Staff photo/Kevin Sjoberg
JORDAN BEAULIER of the Ashland Hornets watches his tee shot during an early-season match. Beaulier and his Hornet squad are hosting Friday’s Aroostook County Championship match.
The big advantage the Hornets have is the fact the match will be played on their home course at Portage Hills Country Club.
“That is huge for us,” said coach Bill Harris. “We have what many consider the toughest starting hole around. We’ve played here in all sorts of conditions and the guys know what clubs to use at certain times.”
Ashland went 8-3-1 during the regular season and Harris said that “our play has proven that when we’re all together, we’re a very tough team.”
The Hornets will have their regular lineup intact for Friday’s match, which also serves as a qualifier for the state championships to be held at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro in October. The top two teams from Friday will compete in the team championships Oct. 9, while the top seven individuals who score 90 or better will make the individual championships, which will be played Oct. 16.
“I expect us to make it to Natanis as a team,” Harris said, “and I expect at least two of our guys will qualify for the individuals.”
Last season, Mark Corella was one of two Hornet golfers able to compete in the County championships, as many of the other team members were attending the Big E in Springfield, Mass. as part of a school function. Corella had a tough round at Aroostook Valley Country Club in Fort Fairfield and failed to qualify as an individual, but his coach said the sophomore and team’s No. 1 player should bounce back this year.
“He’s really poised, very consistent and tough mentally,” Harris said of Corella, who averaged 42 or 43 strokes per round during regular season matches.
Jordan Beaulier is Ashland’s No. 2 golfer and serves as the team leader. He is another steady player, according to Harris, “who has a nice, long drive and handles himself well around the green.”
Beaulier has averaged approximately 47 strokes during the season and Harris said the senior has a good chance to qualify as an individual.
Junior Dylan Cyr-Cormier has been one of the team’s most consistent golfers despite an abbreviated summer schedule. “He’s been remarkably steady and has never shot over a 50 all season,” Harris said.
Senior Keith Holmes and junior Royce MacDonald have had to juggle golf with their varsity soccer schedules, but both have been key golfers. Holmes just began playing in the fall and is building confidence every time out, while MacDonald, who picked up the sport in the beginning of the summer, owns a “sweet swing,” according to Harris and has done a good job “putting his game together.”
Junior Amos Ward is a long driver who is still working on his short game, but has a low round of 45 and along with Corella helps “keep the team loose,” according to Harris.
Junior Christina MacDonald is recovering from an eye injury suffered in an accident and therefore has had limited time on the course, but Harris is hoping to have her back at full strength next summer.
