By Justin Pelletier,Staff Writer

AUBURN – There’s something to be said about being on time.

Last year, Matt Lowell of Buckfield, a recent high school graduate, was a day late applying for a spot in the Maine Amateur. Well-known to Maine State Golf Association officials thanks to his work in the junior program, Lowell received empathy. What he didn’t get, though, was a second chance.

“Rules are rules,” Lowell said. “I was late. It was my fault.”

This year, Lowell took the paperwork – and the time element – out of the equation. In his last year of junior eligibility, Lowell finished in the top 5 at this year’s Maine Junior Championship. That finish qualified him to be on Maine’s entry at the New England Junior Championships, and also gave him an exempt status for the 87th Maine Amateur Championship, being held this year at Portland Country Club in Falmouth.

“We didn’t have to worry about applying this time,” Lowell said with a smile. “It was automatic. One less thing to worry about.”

Lowell joins a field of 126 golfers for the first time, but is hardly a rookie of competitive golf. For four years, Lowell has been one of the top golfers in Class C for Buckfield High School. Playing there was part of a process – a long and steady process.

“It was all about just taking one step at a time,” said Lowell’s father, John. “Let’s do the whole junior thing. His goal was to make the junior team, and he did it last year. This time, he already earned his way into the Amateur, so it was like, let’s go. Let’s have some fun and do it.”

Matt Lowell finished second at the Class C State Championship at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro each of the last two years.

“The courses that (Buckfield) played on, all had really small greens, and that really helped my short game,” said Lowell. “It helped me succeed at state competition, for sure.”

A lefty, Lowell plied his trade at Paris Hill Country Club. He learned there, too, how important his short game had to be.

“All of the greens are dime greens there,” Lowell said. “You have to be accurate there to play well. You have to have a good short game.”

Lowell showcased that ability this summer at Paris Hill in winning the first annual Paris Hill Open by shooting 68 over 18 holes.

The Maine Amateur will be Lowell’s first three-day tournament, a format he hopes will endear itself to him in the next few years.

“My dad’s going to be on the bag,” said Lowell. “He’ll keep me level-headed throughout the day.”

“So much of it is right here,” John agreed, pointing to his head. “It’s all upstairs.”

Graduated from Buckfield, Lowell will start at Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C., this fall in the school’s prestigious Professional Golf Management program.

“I want to have a career in golf, whether it be as a pro or marketing,” said Lowell. “I just love the game.”

Lowell, who now works at Fox Ridge in Auburn, will also attempt to enter the Charlie’s Maine Open, which is being played at Fox Ridge.

For Lowell, though, it’s all about taking things one step at a time.

“I always put pressure on myself,” said Lowell. “I expect myself to do well. I’m playing because I want to win. I’m excited.”