When the stakes are the highest, that's when Connor Howlett brings out his best golf game.
As the No. 1 golfer for Manchester Essex this season, Howlett, who was one of the top golfers in the Cape Ann League, saved his best performance for last.
In the Division 3 individual state final on Nov. 2 at Wyantenuck Country Club in Great Barrington, Howlett finished in sixth place out of 49 golfers by shooting a 5-over par 75. Wayland's Joe Cooper took home the state title with a 67.
"I think playing with the best brought out the best in me," said Howlett, who is still just a junior. "I knew how good the field was so I was extra focused to turn in a good round. I just focused on the present, if I hit a bad shot I put it right behind me."
Although he thrived with the pressure on, Howlett was not expecting to make it as far as he did this season and credits his offseason work for his success. During the summer and spring Howlett tuned his driving, approach and putting skills, which led to him having the most successful season a golfer has had at Manchester Essex. Howlett's showing was the best a Hornet has ever done on the big stage in the program's 10-year existence according to head coach Jane McConnell.
"I really didn't expect to make it this far," Howlett said. "But I played a lot of golf over the summer at Turner Hill in Ipswich. I really improved my game and I plan on playing even more this offseason."
Howlett also impressed on a slightly smaller stage as he battled his way through two preliminary rounds before qualifying for the state final.
Howlett's high school golfing career is not done, as he still has his senior year next fall. McConnell believes that he stacks up with recent Cape Ann golf standouts Josh Salah of Gloucester (a former multi-year Player of the Year in the Northeastern Conference and current Division 1 collegiate player) and Paul Robinson of Rockport (a former multi-year Player of the Year in the CAL).
"I think he is right on par with any of the recent great players in the area," said McConnell, who has been the Hornets golf coach in all 10 years. "He is a terrific player and a terrific young kid."
The junior says his iron game was the biggest strength of his round as his strong approach shots led to him hitting the majority of greens in regulation. He needed to hit those greens, as they were very tricky.
Howlett also had another ace up his sleeve as he arrived in Great Barrington a day early for a practice round. Howlett shot an 81 in his practice round but learned some valuable information about the course, particularly the second hole, which is a blind par 3. The eventual sixth-place finisher also learned how to handle the tough greens and where to drive the ball off the tee.
"My practice round was huge," Howlett said. "I learned a lot about the course. It's a different style of course than what we play at (Essex Country Club), it's really tricky and you can get into a lot of trouble with hazards. Every golfer was at the same disadvantage playing at a new course, I was just thankful I got on the day before."
