All-Region Golfer of the Year: Jade Haylock, Leavitt

Leavitt’s Jade Haylock lines up putt during the Class B golf state championship Oct. 8 at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro. Haylock won the girls individual title and helped the Hornets claim the Class B team state championship this season. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Consistency and playing well in big tournaments at the end of the season make Leavitt sophomore Jade Haylock the 2022 Sun Journal All-Region Golfer of the Year.

Leavitt sophomore Jade Haylock holds the Class B individual state championship trophy on Oct. 8 at Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro. Submitted photo

She defended her Class B individual girls title and led the Hornets to their first Class B team state championship by shooting an 8-over 80 on the Tomahawk course at Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro at the championships in October.

Haylock said she was self-assured this season after winning the 2021 individual state championship as a freshman.

“I think having the confidence of winning the year before definitely took some pressure off of my back,” Haylock said. “I was definitely aware my teammate Alexis (McCormick) was right there behind me — her game was on point.”

McCormick finished in second place in the Class B individual championship with a score of 83, three shots behind Haylock.

Haylock said the goal was for both of them to put a low score on the board to help the team.

“I wasn’t necessarily worried about beating her; I just wanted to do well for our team and put a good score up there,” Haylock said. “I’d be just as happy if she won (the individual championship).”

Harry Haylock, Leavitt’s head coach and Jade’s dad, said shooting low on Tomahawk is difficult.

“I don’t find my female (players) put up a good score on Tomahawk,” Harry Haylock said. “It’s a course — I noticed with the boys, they move (the tees) up just a tad for them. For the girls, when we play that course in the summer (for Maine Golf events) as opposed to the (high school) championships, the tees are pretty much in the same area. If anything, they are a little further back, making it that much more challenging for the ladies.”

The Hornets won the team state championship with a score of 330, 14 strokes ahead of second-place Cape Elizabeth.

After a successful showing at the state championships, Haylock played in the New England High School championships at the Mohegan Sun golf course in Baltic, Connecticut, where she finished ninth out of 48 players in the girls tournament, shooting a 5-over 77.

“It felt good to represent Leavitt and put up a good number at New Englands,” Jade Haylock said.

She said she took advantage of the course conditions.

“The course had some renovations this year,” Jade said. “I remember it being a little more of a tricky course last year. I think it was a bit easier this year because they had to have some temporary greens. It’s still a tricky course.”

She shot a 95 in 2021.

Jade Haylock, was steady throughout the 2022 season, leading the Hornets with a 39.1 scoring average for nine holes and going 12-0 in match play.

“She carried the team all fall; she was the only undefeated player on our team,” Harry Haylock said. “There are so many positives that she did as a result of stronger, more dedicated (to golf) and perseverance.”

He added that Jade, whose sister Ruby was named Sun Journal’s Golfer of the Year four times (2018-21), did have to battle through some matches this season.

“I know she had a couple of days where she was in the 40s — probably 44 (against Morse) is her high score for the year,” Harry Haylock said. “You have to consider the conditions: It was pretty windy on an unrecognizable course (Bath Golf Club) that she didn’t know. I know there were a couple of times she played sick with an illness. But she knew the team needed her for her scores. It’s impressive to see the consistency throughout the season with a 12-0 record, but be able to lead the team when we needed her the most.”