Gardiner's Morang rediscovers love of golf for senior season
Copyright © 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
Until this summer, Heath Morang had forgotten how much he enjoyed the feel of his King Cobra driver. Playing five times a week, often with his dad, Jeff, Morang renewed his enthusiasm for his favorite club and the game of golf.
Staff photo by ANDY MOLLOYGardiner Area High School's Heath Morang renewed his enthusiasm for golf before his senior season. The extra practice and playing time paid dividends —Morang finished in a tie for fourth overall at the state individual tournament last month. click to enlarge
"I played a lot more this year than I've ever played," said the Gardiner Area High School senior. "I got into a little more."
Morang's enthusiasm carried over into the high school season where he led the Tigers to a spot in the state tournament and grabbed some individual honors along the way. For his efforts, Morang has been named Kennebec Journal Golfer of the Year.
Increased playing and practice time helped Morang play much more consistently this fall. He posted a 9-3 record in regular-season, head-to-head competition and even began to master his home course at Kennebec Heights where he's had trouble in the past.
"I like to hit driver and out there you can't," said Morang, explaining many of the holes are too short or too narrow.
At 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, Morang doesn't look like a big hitter but he routinely bangs his driver 300 yards. He plays to a 1 handicap at Natanis Golf Course while his dad plays to a 4 and also hits it long.
"We're right there," Heath said. "It's fun to play with him."
Consistency showed up in his play this fall, according to Gardiner coach Don Ranks.
"He has the ability to grind," Ranks said. "He can have that bad hole and come back and stick with it."
The day of the state individual tournament was a day for grinders — cold, very windy, with occasional rain. Morang weathered a bad hole and gutted out the rest to shoot a 78, a great score for that day, and finish in a tie for fourth.
"It was one of the toughest rounds I've ever played," said Morang, who shot 67 on the same Natanis course in September.
Morang also spent more time on his short game this year, his greatest improvement according to Ranks. It helped him put bad holes behind him "because I knew I could come back and make a few birdies." he said.
Morang's already into basketball season but golf is never far from his thoughts. He like to play college golf although he's yet to decide on a school. But whether he plays in college or not, he plans on sticking with the sport.
"That's what I like to do," he said. "I want to do something with golf."
Gary Hawkins — 621-5638 ghawkins@centralmaine.com