October 18, 2008
Tourney needs a couple of changes
As well as the state's high school golfers are treated at Natanis Golf Course, there are still a couple of changes that could improve the state individual tournament.
For the third year in a row on Saturday, Gardiner's Ryan Gay and Gorham's David Gushee finished in a tie for the Class A title. And for the second straight year, Carrabec's Shawn Keenan finished in a tie for the Class C championship. When ties occur, the Maine Principals' Association awards trophies to each player. Two years ago in Class A, there was a three-way tie.
Let's face it, ties occur frequently in golf. When they do in tournament soccer, teams play up to four overtime periods before going to a shootout. Golfers deserve the same consideration. Saturday's action ended around 3 p.m. $ plenty of time for a sudden-death three- or four-hole playoff, which could also encompass total strokes if it goes that far. If there's a tie after that, so be it.
Also, the top golfers should play in the same foursome. Gay and Gushee did not because foursomes are determined by qualifying scores and Gushee shot a fairly high score. Gardiner coach Ryan Madore said he broached the subject of seeding golfers with the MPA and was turned down. He even offered to organize it himself. Seedings happen in tennis and wrestling, among other sports. No reason this shouldn't happen in golf.
Gary-
The following is from my 20 October '08 "Reader Comments".
It is sent as a blog in order to
be seen/commented on by those who may not have seen it:
To: Gary Hawkins
Thank you and the Journal for covering the ME H.S. Golf Tournament. I enjoyed your article.
My compliments to all the participants, particularly the winners and their families.
My comments for your consideration:
1. H.S. golf, including the ME State Qualifying and Championship Tournaments, is under-reported.
2.Hundreds of ME H.S. students practice long hours and compete in their schoos' matches, just as do those who play football, soccer, and other sports (many of which receive dramatically more coverage).
3. For some students, golf may be either the main or only sport they participate in.
4. There are far more boy than girl H.S. golfers.
5.Those who play in the ME State Golf Tournament are "the cream of the crop".
6. Some of them will be making scrapbooks of their achievements and applying for golf and/or other scholarships.
7. Why not publish a complete list of those who compete, their scores, their medals?
8. Did 3 or 10 boys...girls...receive medals?other prizes? scholarships?
9. Do their H.S.s give them special recognition?
10. Why not an occasional vignette on a particular boy or girl?...an outstanding upper-classman or beginner?
I am the proud grandparent who watched a freshman girl, Megan Maguire, make her H.S. team, participate in meets, become the 1st girl from her school to qualify for...and play in...the ME H.S. Golf Tournament, making friends in her 3-some and playing well enough to win it, placing her mid-way among the girl entrants, as one of the best girl H.S. golfers in all of ME.
Megan is 14 years old and an honors student who started playing golf in July 2008. Among her ambitions are to win the ME H.S. Championship and a golf scholarship to one of the great American universities.
We are hoping, as I am sure other parents/grandparents are, that there will be enough articles covering golf in our newspapers that a scrapbook may be made.
Thank you and best wishes.
Darrel Bates
21 Beech Rd
So Berwick ME 03908
207-384-5382
(Note: My email is not working.)
Posted by
Darrel BatesOctober 20, 2008 07:25 PM
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