Narragansett’s Sebastian Carlsson Wins Boys State Championship
Narragansett senior Sebastian Carlsson fired a final round 67 to run away from the pack and win the Rhode Island Boys High School State Championship on Wednesday afternoon at Cranston Country Club.
Carlsson was five-under for the tournament and won by six shots over Prout’s Mark Roberts.
“I knew I was going to be in contention, the swing was coming together and I had good practice rounds. I knew if my head didn’t get in the way I knew I could compete and hopefully win,” said Carlsson after the round.
Carlsson is the first player from Narragansett to win the state golf title.
Carlsson’s Final Round
Carlsson started the day in a tie for the lead with Coventry’s Sam Fuentes after making double-bogey on 18 to close round one.
But in round two, Carlsson opened with back-to-back birdies, and three birdies in the first five holes to regain control of the tournament.
“I didn’t finish well yesterday so it was nice to get those two bogeys back with two birdies to start off with. I knew I was swinging pretty good and just kept my foot on the gas,” added Carlsson.
After a bogey on six, Carlsson bounced back with birdies on seven and a near ace on eight, resulting in a short birdie putt.
Afterward, Carlsson said that his line on eight was “aggressive.”
By the time he made the turn, he knew pars would win it and he made all pars except a birdie on 16 and a bogey on 17
“After that front nine I knew I just had to cruise my way in. We came to ten and I had a six shot lead, or something like that, and I knew par would do it and I got the job done,” he added.
Carlsson will play college golf at the University of Rhode Island next season.
“I have a few big tournaments over the summer and hopefully play well in those. I just can’t wait to compete for coach Burke the next four years at URI. This win gives me a lot of momentum and confidence and I hope I can carry that over into the summer and fall.”
Max Jackson’s Week
La Salle’s Max Jackson came into the tournament looking to three-peat as Boys Individual Champion.
After a first round 75, he was behind the eight ball and needed a big run on Wednesday.
Jackson opened the round with a birdie on one, and then birdied the fifth hole to get to two-under on the day.
However, back-to-back bogeys on the sixth and seventh holes, combined with the play of Carlsson all but eliminated him from title contention.
“I definitely didn’t play the way I wanted too. Tuesday was just a rough start. Out of 28 possible fairways, I think I hit five of them, so that’s just not going to get it done. I’m gonna take a couple of days off and then get back too it. Busy summer ahead,” said Jackson.
He expanded on changes that he tried to make to his game over the winter.
“Over the winter I got caught up with chasing speed and trying to hit it further. I think I am going to resort back to what was working the last couple of years because that obviously worked better.”
Final Leaderboard
1. Sebastian Carlsson – 137
2. Mark Roberts – 143
3. Ryan Marcantonio – 146
Max Jackson – 146
Sam Fuentes – 146
Joe Earley – 146
7. Brayden Dickinson – 149
Cole Vieira – 149
Jonny Walsh – 149
10. Ryan Dacey – 150