If the old adage “Good things come in small packages,” is accurate, then Lewiston High School golfer Stephanie Rodrigue is a mighty mite.

The 15-year-old sophomore is projected to play No. 1 on the Blue Devils golf team this fall and that is with a four-foot, 11-inch body weighing 97 pounds, on a good day.

“I’d like to get bigger and stronger,” she said, knowing that she can increase her strength, but she understands that her height is not within her control.

For a person who decided four years ago that she wanted to become a golfer, her story is a remarkable success. Neither of her parents plays golf, although they are a  supportive family. And because she is still learning the game, she accepts it as a challenge.

“I know people are better than me,” she said, which is why she has such a great work ethic and an appreciation for the game.

Four years ago, she played in a Junior Open Tournament at Riverside and shot 120. At that same tournament this year held at South Portland,  she shot 75 and was the champion. Her improvement in golf is just part of the Rodrigue picture.

“She is the example of what we are trying to teach,” First Tee of Maine Executive Director Ron Bibeau said. “She is an outstanding young woman, who epitomizes the First Tee core values.”

First Tee youngsters have four ranks: Par, birdie, eagle and ace. They cannot become an ace until their senior year of high school, but Rodrigue earned the rank of eagle as a freshman, which was accomplished at a record pace, according to Bibeau. Part of that rank, Bibeau said, is because Rodrigue shows tremendous respect toward fellow players and instructors.

On the top of her respect list is Bob Darling, head professional at Fox Ridge, where Rodrigue is part of the First Tee program.

“I would not trade him for the world,” she said of a man who has molded her into a golfer who won numerous 15-17 age group championships this summer on the Maine State Golf Association Junior Tour.

“This does not seem to be going to her head,” said Darling, who has been her coach for three years. “She has a competitiveness, which is deep down inside her, but she does not get too emotional.”

“I have played in pro-junior tournaments with her,” he said. “She gets a lot out of her game for a small kid. She has good mechanics and rhythm.”

Rodrigue, however, is more than a good young golfer. She is a good student at Lewiston High, and Bibeau uses her as a spokesman for First Tee whenever she is at one of its clinics,. “Because she is articulate and funny,” he added.

The combination of skill, brains, and respect makes Stephanie Rodrigue’s “package” anything but “small.”

MSGA Senior Tour

The Maine State Golf Association will have a Senior Tour event Tuesday at Fairlawn and its Match Play Championship Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Martindale, with its regular Weekend Tournament event Friday and Saturday at Willowdale.

Fox Ridge Invitational

The inaugural Fox Ridge Invitational to Benefit of First Tee of Maine was a scramble with the Lewiston High School golf team foursome of Griffin Wade, Brendon Croteau, Ken Morin and Andrew Loise winning that event event with a gross 66. Low net was R.C. Specialty Fabrication Inc., with Stephanie Rodrigue, Jordan Laplume, Eldon Topley and Richard Caron shooting a 59. Closest to the pin on No. 3 went to Phil Morin at 9 1/2 inches and on No. 13 Bill Williams won with 11-3.

The small field in that event on Aug. 27 was due to it being put together during the golf season and that date was in conflict with the MSGA Senior Amateur at Brunswick and the Red Sox-Yankees Challenge at Martindale. Proceeds went entirely to First Tee — 50 percent to the Fox Ridge program and 50 percent to First Tee of Maine. Next year’s tournament will be June 20 at Fox Ridge.

Patriots Golf Day

The ninth annual Patriot Golf Day is being conducted four days through tomorrow by the U.S. Golf Association, which is requesting members to contribute $1 to the Folds of Honor Foundation for every round of golf played during that period. Proceeds fund scholarships for children of disabled and military men and women in killed the line of duty. To contribute click, onto www.Foldsofhonor.com/donate.

Area pros shine

Two area pros dominated the Maine Chapter, New England PGA Pro-Senior Tournament on Sept. 1 at The Ledges.

Chad Hopkins of The Meadows, playing with Jeff Freeman, Steve Foss and Fred Wingate, won the best ball 2 of 4 with 130 and Bob Darling of Fox Ridge was second, teaming with Gary Caiani, Rocky Copp and Gary Chapman with 134. Hopkins had the low pro score, carding 72, and Darling was third with a 73,

In the pro-pro blind draw, Brett Smestad of The Ledges and Hopkins were first with a 68 and Darling won the senior quota.