A deep and talented field and difficult conditions were no match for the Falmouth golf team Saturday.

The Yachtsmen (8-1 in the regular season with a makeup match versus Yarmouth still pending) produced a sensational score (315) and rolled to the Class B team championship, their third (and seventh overall). Despite the wind and chilly temperatures, Falmouth (runners-up a year ago) wound up outshooting every other team in all three classes.

“The kids very much deserved this,” said Yachtsmen coach Spike Herrick. “They’re fun to be with and have great etiquette.”

Senior Connor Burfeind led the way with a 74, the low score of the day in any class. He made six 10-footers in his last seven holes.

“That was just lights-out putting at the end of the round,” said Herrick. “Timing is everything.”

Junior Will Bucklin (77, after starting four over after four holes), senior Taylor Dimick (81) and junior Matt Packard (83) also scored, while junior Nick Franco took part and finished with an 85.

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“We all persevered,” said Herrick. “As it turned out, we would have won even without Burfeind’s score. For Will to come back from bogeys on the first four holes is hard. It was windy and cold and the greens were hard and fast. I tried to walk around and keep kids’ spirits up.”

The Yachtsmen, who also took Class B honors in 2004 and 2008 and were second in 2001, 2003 and 2006, lose Burfeind and Dimick (along with Alex Groat) to graduation, but figure to once again be in the thick of things in 2011.

“I would think we’ll be in good shape next year,” said Herrick. “Several kids are hungry and knocking on the door.”

Yarmouth (341) came in third. The Clippers (4-5 with one regular season match remaining) matched last year’s showing (they were fifth in 2008). Sophomore Red DeSmith led the way with a 79. Junior Ian Marr (84). senior Joe King (88) and junior Ethan Andrews (90) also scored, while Cal Cooper (94) also participated.

“I am so proud of this year’s team,” said Yarmouth coach Tom McDowell. “Our 12 varsity players are talented golfers and they have done an excellent job representing our community and our high school. After losing half of last year’s starting team to graduation, to finish third in the state for a second year in a row is a testament to the team’s hard work this season. A great deal of credit for our success goes to senior captain Joe King, he led this group well all season. Ian Marr, our number one player, played well in matches against the best players in the state in match after match and I cannot say enough about Red DeSmith’s play. He carried the team to its third place finish on Saturday.”

With only King graduating, look for Yarmouth to once again compete next autumn.

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“We look to be competitive again next year with Ian, Red, Cal Cooper and Ethan Andrews back,” said McDowell.

In Class C, North Yarmouth Academy (10-1 in the regular season) shot a 405 and came in ninth (Houlton was the champion with a 327). Senior standout Tim Millett (the two-time defending Class C individual champ) led the Panthers with a 78, Junior Jake Landry (92), junior Parker Howard (114) and C.J. Davis (121) were the other scorers. Colton Ackerman (138) also took part.

Freeport (3-7) and Greely (6-4) didn’t qualify for the state meet.

Individuals

Individual boys’ and girls’ players will vie for glory this coming Saturday, also at Natanis.

Greely’s Laura Grant is the defending girls’ champion. She, along with teammates Megan Bickford, Edith Aramando, Emma Seymour and Sarah Hansen and Yarmouth’s Monica Austin, Jordan Brown, Emily Lunt and Grace King, will take part.

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Falmouth’s Burfeind, Bucklin, Franco and Packard will vie for the boys’ Class B individual honors. NYA’s Millett hopes to make it a three-peat in Class C. He’ll be joined by Landry. Qualifiers from other local schools were not available at press time.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

Sidebar Elements


Falmouth’s victorious Class B state championship golf team shows off its hardware Saturday.

Left to right: Will Bucklin, Matt Packard, Connor Burfeind, Taylor Dimick and Nick Franco.


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