Maine wins Tri-State title

WOLFBORO, N.H. – The Maine team captured the Tri-State Championship over the weekend at Kingswood Country Club after losing by just a half a point last year to New Hampshire.

Maine finished with 23 points, beating Vermont (21 1/2) and New Hampshire (19 1/2).

Maine was led by Ricky Jones of Thomaston, the only player on the team to win all of his points. Ron Brown, Maine’s premier senior, who played in his 31st Tri-State Championship, also paced Maine as he won both his points Sunday.

With four matches left on the golf course Sunday, less than a half point separated all three teams. Gary Manoogian – Jones’ Saturday victorious partner – managed to split his matches for another point in the fourth spot. Then Jones came in with his two points in the third match, and Joe Alvarez added 1 1/2 points.

While Alvarez’s points put Maine over the top, Maine’s amateur champion, Corey Poulin, added some drama to the finish, nearly holing out his second shot from the fairway to gain a half point in his match, giving Maine its total of 23 points.