Lincoln Academy golfer Kelsey Leeman competed at the New England High School women’s championships on June 21, held at Brentwood in Keene, N.H. She qualified for New England’s by placing in the top 10 (7th) in Maine in the fall of 2009.
Leeman shot a 91 at New England’s to “put her in the top five in Maine. She tied for 33rd place,” coach Todd Brackett said.
“She did a very good job. She shot a 44 and 47 on a course she only played once, and that was the day before. She was tickled to death. I’m very proud of her,” Brackett added.
Leeman was a “little nervous” going into the championship after shooting a 49 and 56 on a practice round on Sunday. “I was just trying to get a feel for the course,” she said.
Leeman started on the back nine and shot a 44, then shot a 47 on the front nine. “I only had two weeks to get ready.” The other girls were at the peak of their games, having just ended their high school season. “All the other states have golf in the spring; only Maine plays their season in the fall,” Leeman said.
She had an 8-1-1 record last year as a sophomore. “I played only one girl the entire season,” Leeman said.
She has earned two varsity letters at Lincoln Academy. Leeman said she almost quit her freshman year. She was the only girl among 15 boys and she was struggling. Coach Brackett “was so good, he told me to stick with it and my game would come around, so I did,” Leeman said.