PITTSFIELD — Gavin Dugas’ final round of the year was one of his best.

More importantly, it was good enough for the Maine Central Institute senior to capture the individual state championship that had long eluded him.

Dugas carded a 1-under-par 71 on Oct. 18 at Natanis Golf Course’s Tomahawk Course to win the Class B championship by three strokes over Cape Elizabeth’s Reese McFarlane. The round came one week after shooting a 5-over-par 77 at the very same course in the Class B team championship.

“At team states I wasn’t playing very confidently,” Dugas said. “In the week leading up to individuals I started playing a little better so I had more confidence in my game.”

For his efforts, Dugas has been named the Morning Sentinel Golfer of the Year.

“Winning the state championship was a dream come true,” Dugas said. “Coming close for two years kind of inspired me to get to that level. It was good to end on that for my high school career.”

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The dream had been a long time coming for Dugas, a journey which took roots well before he arrived as a freshman at MCI.

Dugas’ father, Michael, is the PGA professional at the family-owned JW Parks Golf Course in Pittsfield, where Gavin began playing as soon as he could swing a club.

“I started golfing as early as I could. I grew up with plastic clubs in my hand,” Dugas said. “My first actual tournament I think I was six or seven.”

Basically, golf is in Gavin Dugas’ blood.

“Pretty much I wake up and I live literally in the parking lot of the golf course. My house is right there,” Dugas said. “That’s what I do for fun, I guess, just wake up and play golf.

“I play every day, practice every day. Some days I work at the course and then I’ll play or practice after. Every chance I can I play golf.”

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Dugas’ high school career may be over, but he is far from done playing competitively. Recently he signed his letter of intent to play for coach Matt Arvantis at Southern New Hampshire University, electing to play for the Penmen over St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y. and St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill N.Y.

“My decision was based on where I could play,” Dugas said. “I went down and visited a couple times, and I just liked the school, liked the coach and I just think that the school is a good fit for me.

“It’s not too far away from home so I can come home on the weekends if I need to. That’s another thing I liked about that.”

For now though, Dugas is turning his attention to basketball. He has not played competitively since eight grade, but elected to come out for the school’s team at the urging of some friends.

“I think that basketball will help me in golf in the long run,” Dugas said. “I’m still getting into it but I think the conditioning and just the workouts and stuff like that will help me in the long run with my golf game.”

Evan Crawley — 621-5640

ecrawley@mainetoday.com

Twitter: @Evan_Crawley


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