Bailey Plourde won her fourth straight Mid-Coast Junior Golf Championship on August 10 at Rockland Golf Club. Her first competitive tournament play was at this championship five years ago.
When asked what she likes best about playing in the Mid-Coast Junior Golf Association, Plourde said, “I enjoy the relaxed play and friendships I have made over the years, from the division 1 (high school age) down to the division 3 (6 years old and up) age boys and girls.”
This year’s format was a little different than the past. It was formatted to a one day – 9 hole shoot out. Plourde was paired with Oceanside High School sophomore Ryan Lawrence.
After two holes they were both at a one over par, Plourde took the lead after the third hole by one stroke. However Lawrence was able to take the lead after the fifth hole when Plourde got caught up in a bunker making her take a triple bogey on a par 3.
Going in to hole 7 Lawrence was forced to just punch his second shot out into the fairway, getting caught under some trees on the right side. Unfortunately his third shot on the par 5 caught the woods on the left.
Plourde, recognizing Lawrence was in trouble, held her second shot up and played to par the hole and regained the lead. She was able to go up by four strokes after the 8th hole and they both finished the final hole posting par. Plourde finished with a 42 and Lawrence with a 46.
Out of Plourde’s busy golf schedule she tries to continue to play in as many of the seven MCJGA tournaments she can get to. She was able to participate in Megunticook as well as Sheepscot Links this summer.
Plourde said her commitment to the MCJGA started early. “This is where I was able to start playing competitive without the fear of the big crowds,” she said. “It’s a very relaxed and supportive group of players, parents and golf professionals.
“I will never forget the first day I meet (Maine Golf Hall of Famer) Helen Plourd, she was awesome. She pulled me to the side and said, ‘I want to teach you to win at golf. Do you like to win?'”
Bailey Plourde and Helen Plourd have since kept in close contact. “I hope someday one of these younger players look up to me the way I look up to the many that have inspired me to pursue golf at different levels,” Plourde said.
