Most sophomores would love to finish runner-up at the state individual golf championships. Not Luke Ruffing.

The 15-year-old from Maranacook Community High School hoped to finish first at the Class B state championships last month, played on his home course at Natanis.

“To be honest, I was not happy finishing runner-up in the states,” said Ruffing, who a month later still recalled a couple of holes “that killed me.”

Despite his final disappointment, Ruffing turned in a banner season, leading the Black Bears with an 8-2 regular-season record. For his efforts, he’s been selected Kennebec Journal Golfer of the Year. Also considered was Winthrop’s Tyler Foster.

Ruffing shot 73 in the state final, losing by a stroke to Lincoln senior Malcolm Oliver, but finishing in front of Camden Hills’ Daulton Wickenden. Oliver and Wickenden were the two golfers to beat Ruffing during the regular season.

“He loves competition,” Maranacook coach Ryan Meserve said. “The harder someone pushes, the better he does.”

Ruffing decided to join Natanis shortly after he finished 26th in the individual championships last year.

“I wanted to be prepared for the states,” he said. “I made it my goal to win the states this year. I almost got it.”

Ruffing also liked the fact that Natanis has 36 holes, which assured him of playing time when events were taking place.

“I usually play 27 or 36 holes, six or seven days a week,” he said.

Ruffing, who often played by himself, sometimes hooked up with Chris Hamel, a former schoolboy champ at Waterville who is a senior on the Husson University golf team.

“I learned a lot (from him) about strategizing the course,” Ruffing said. “He taught me to work on putting and the short game.”

Ruffing, who averaged 39.4 strokes for nine holes during the regular season, grew a few inches and lost 15 pounds. At 5-foot-7, 130 pounds, he added 15-20 yards off the tee, but his greatest improvement came in the short game.

“Last year, I could not get up and down,” he said.

He turned a weakness into a strength, according to his coach.

“He really worked on getting up and down,” Meserve said. “He has a great touch around the greens and he’s fearless when it comes to putting.”

Ruffing plans to play baseball next spring but will forego basketball this winter to increase his strength.

“I’m going to try to get into the weight room and try to gain a few more pounds,” he said. “I need to gain that extra distance because I’m one of the shortest hitters out there.”

Meserve said it’s difficult to put a cap on Ruffing’s ability.

“He’s mature for his age,” he said. “He’s really intense. He’s got a good relationship with the other kids on the team. They know how driven he is and that definitely rubs off on the other players.”

Ruffing plans to enter more Maine State Golf Association Junior events next year — he won two of the three he played in last summer — and will also give the Maine Amateur a shot.

Gary Hawkins — 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com

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