SANFORD — Ben Bell is only a junior at Sanford High School, but his golf coach said he has an “incredible upside” in his golfing career.

Why wouldn’t coach Jonathan Jacques have that optimism? After all, Bell was the co-state Class A golf champion this past season, and for that he has earned the 2011 Journal Tribune Golfer of the Year.

“There were a lot of people who were caught off guard by Ben’s performance,” Jacques said of Bell’s state title round. “He was not satisfied with his play during the regular season, but certainly held his own when it really mattered.”

During the state match Bell had a four-shot lead after the first nine holes after sinking two key putts on 17 and 18 for pars, showing uncanny nerve, Jacques said.

“His front nine were the most crisp nine holes I have seen a high school gofer play,” Jacques said.

Bell is the kind of player that Jacques said he loves to coach because of his willingness to learn and play to his draw style.

“Ben can hit all the shots,” Jacques said. “He has length and the ability to shape shots. He feels like he can make every putt.”

Bell will be back one more season to try and win the state title outright, something that Jacques said he thinks his No. 1 player can do because of his adaptability.

“He was very open to suggestions and eager to try and apply the subtle changes that I thought he would benefit from,” Jacques said. “Ben is a great young man.”

Besides repeating as a state champion, there is always a chance he could win this award again.

— Contact Al Edwards at 282-1535, Ext. 323.