Connor Howlett is feeling pretty good about his golf game these days.
It's with good reason.
The Manchester Essex senior will begin this season riding the momentum he gained in his final round of last year's high school golf season. Howlett fired a 75 at Wyantenuck Country Club in Western Mass. last November 2 in the Division 3 state individual tournament. It was good for a tie for sixth in — to reiterate — the entire state.
Howlett's junior year success has him thinking big for his senior season, which opens up Tuesday against Masconomet. The goal: to be a state champion.
"The momentum has definitely carried over from that 75," said Howlett, who will captain the Hornets with Alex Porter, Josh Christopher and Corey Barstis. "It was one of my lower rounds of the entire year last year and it came at a great time. Individually, I would love to win the state title. The winning score last year was a 67, which would be tough to match, especially with only a one-round tourney. I just need to qualify and see what happens."
Manchester Essex had a disappointing 5-10 campaign last year and didn't qualify for the postseason as a team. However, Howlett qualified for the state individual tournament with an 80 at the Division 3 North qualifier at Far Corner Golf Course.
The fact that the Hornets captain shaved five strokes off his score at Wyantenuck, in the most meaningful round of the season, was a credit to his mentality.
"Connor has a great deal of promise," said Manchester Essex head coach Jane McConnell, who is in her 12th season and has coached the program since it began. "He brings the right approach to the game and he knows how to hold things together. Even when his swing may be off, he still keeps a positive attitude."
After enduring a long New England winter, obviously not conducive to playing golf, Howlett was eager to get back on the course in the spring and summer — more so in the summer because he plays on the Manchester Essex tennis team in the spring.
Aside from a two-week vacation, Howlett played 18 holes — or close to it — every day this summer. A member at Turner Hill Country Club in Ipswich, he honed his skills on the par-72, 7,000-plus-yard layout.
Howlett estimates that his drives have been averaging right around 280 yards and his iron game has been solid. During the recent Manchester Essex tryouts he didn't lose one ball. The progression in his play has been evident throughout his high school career. Last season, Howlett averaged 28.5 points per match, which is equivalent to 3 or 4-over par in a nine-hole match. That was up from 22 points as a sophomore and 11 as a freshman.
"I played a ton this summer," said Howlett, who will play his home matches with Manchester Essex at the prestigious Essex County Club. "Turner Hill has a great driving range and it's great to be able to play there every day because it is always a tough challenge.
"Putting is something I know I need to get better at. It's probably the weakest part of my game."
Time has not been easy to come by for Howlett, who is working towards becoming an Eagle Scout. Because there are so many steps involved in the process, Howlett says there is always something he can be doing. Still, he managed to play in seven tournaments over the summer, including one in Maryland and one in Vermont. He placed 10th in Maryland, after shooting a 77.
It's early, but collegiate golf is on the mind of Howlett. Boston College and Bucknell are among the schools he is interested in, but he knows he has some work to do to play Division 1 at the next level.
"Connor certainly has goals and a desire to play," said McConnell. "I have confidence in his ability."
For now, the attention will be on this season. Not only for Howlett as an individual player, but on the Manchester Essex team as a whole. The Hornets feel they are a state tournament contender.
"We have a bunch of guys that lead by example," said Howlett. "We have great potential, and I'd like to think that with the work we've put in, we have a shot at the state tourney."
