It’s hard for Eric Dugas to separate himself from his family. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The Maine Central Institute senior continued the upward trajectory of his career this fall, winning the Class B state individual championship and earned the nod as the Morning Sentinel Golfer of the Year for the second consecutive season.

One year after leading MCI to the Class B team title as a junior, Dugas left little doubt that the individual championship was something he coveted in his final season for the Huskies.

“I always thought it was a reasonable goal,” Dugas said. “Through all the competitions last year and over the summer, I knew who was in (Class B). I knew I could beat them. That day, I didn’t really hit the ball that well, actually, but my short game came through, which always helps in golf.”

Dugas is following in his family’s footsteps. His older brother, Gavin, was also a two-time Morning Sentinel Golfer of the Year (2013 and 2014) and his father, Mike, is the head coach of the Husson University golf team as well as the local pro at J.W. Parks Golf Course in Pittsfield. Eric Dugas will join Gavin, the 2015 New England interscholastic champion who is transferring from Southern New Hampshire University, and his father with the Eagles next year.

“I’ve gone to quite a few tournaments with my dad, and I’ve gone and watched my brother play a lot,” Eric said. “It’s going to be awesome (at Husson). We can reunite and hopefully play for a national championship. It will be fun having the whole family together.”

But don’t be fooled into thinking that Dugas is a carbon copy of his father and brother. In this particular case, it’s not exactly “like father, like son.”

Dugas said that he is a bit different from the others.

“I’ve still got to learn when to make better decisions, when to make the smart shot,” Dugas said. “I think I’ve made my own way a little bit. I’m streaky. I’m still capable of some big numbers and everything, which those guys don’t usually do.”

As he heads into the offseason and looks ahead to next summer’s tournament loop, Dugas is aware of where he wants to improve. Winning the Class B title was an impressive add to his growing golf resume, but he also understands that the game’s true greats value consistency above all else.

Dugas said it’s the one thing he’s really focusing on moving forward.

“I really still want to work on everything, but the biggest part of it all is the mental game,” Dugas said. “Over the summer, it seemed like too many times I’d make a big number (on a hole) and ruin a round. Like when I went into states, I knew going in that anything outher than a double (bogey) would be OK for me.”

Dugas shot a 73 to win the Class B title on the Tomahawk course at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro in October — and that 73 tied the score posted by two-time Class A state champion Cole Anderson of Camden Hills. It came just a couple of months after tying second in the New England championships in Keene, New Hampshire, to start his summer. Dugas was one of only four players to shoot in the 70s at Bretwood Golf Course that day.

Dugas plans on returning to the schoolboy championships in June, and he will also continue to play in a number of Maine State Golf Association junior tournaments.

In the meantime, he’s begun thinking about playing college golf next fall, and about how that level of competition can help him raise his game to the next level.

“It’s all about being more consistent,” Dugas said. “You definitely have to be able to do that in college golf, and there’s competition in that because someone is always trying to get that next spot on the team.”

Travis Barrett — 621-5621

tbarrett@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @TBarrettGWC

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