We finally got some true summer weather this past week, and it was a relief for the superintendents and greenskeepers out there trying to grow grass where winter took its toll.

As usual, the winter was anything but fair. Some courses were hit hard, while others emerged virtually unscathed. One that came through great but has had weather problems since then is Maple Lane in Livermore.

New Owner Kevin Cullen said players were telling him the greens were in the best shape ever for early-season play, but the rainy weather has delayed construction of the new driving range and two new holes. Once projected for a July opening, the range will have to wait until next season.

On the plus side, all nine holes are in play and a new junior program has enjoyed considerable success. Cullen said that 27 juniors are enrolled in the program. Every Monday and Thursday, the kids gather for a 90-minute clinic in the morning. Lunch is followed by nine holes for the youngsters ranging from ages 7 to 17. Cullen thinks he may have to have two programs next year. The big event for July is the Pig Roast Scramble on the 26th.

Speaking of junior golf, Wednesday, July 16 is Junior Golf Day. Sponsored by the Maine Chapter of PGA, these clinics are for kids who have little or no experience at the game. Although professionals from a number of clubs will take part, the clinics will be held at four sites, the closest for most of our readers is Springbrook in Leeds. The other sites will be the Golf Learning Center in Cumberland, Terry Adams Golf Preserve in York and JW Parks in Pittsfield. The complete swing clinics are free for the kids and are designed to introduce them to the game.

At Springbrook, Al Biondi said he could have 60 to 70 kids. Pros expected as instructors include Ron Bibeau, Bob Darling Jr., Bob Murphy, Pete Hatfield and Bob Mathews.

Paris Hill will have its annual breakfast on the Fourth of July and a Flag Tournament. At Prospect Hill, Ron Vaillancourt said they usually have two big events a month. For July, the big one is the Ladies Member-Guest on the 9th, with Central Maine Seniors playing on the 18th. Check your club’s calendar for other events.

This week, playing in the Greater Portland Open Pro-Am provided an opportunity to watch how a professional uses these events to prepare for the tournament. Our Pro was Rodney Butcher, a former winner of the GPO and the Maine Open, so we knew we would be with one of the serious contenders for the title.

As we loosened up by swinging clubs on the 10th tee at Riverside, Butcher had his Bushnell Yardage Pro range finder in hand. He was checking distances to the trees on the left and the rough to the right and recording them in his yardage book. We all hit solid drives and watched as he blew his tee shot at least 50 yards past our longest effort on the 553-yard par-5. A three-shot hole for us was a two-shot hole for him. That was to be expected as Butcher, originally from Massachusetts, now makes his home in Florida and plays competitive golf on the various mini tours year-round. As we played the round, he studied each hole with his range finder, mapping out each hole.

While we were playing the normal back tees the pros would be moved back when the actual tournament got underway. On some holes, Butcher hit irons off the tee so he could play his second shot close to where he expected to play it the next day. While his study of the course was thorough, it was quick and efficient. We finished our round in under four-and-a-half hours, always right behind the group in front. It was a good lesson in tournament preparation, one we could all use to our advantage. Of course, the rest of us didn’t have to worry about preparation. All we wanted was to finish in the top three, and we were one shot off, the worst possible place. The key is to win or lose by a bunch. Then you don’t sit around later remembering those putts that lipped out or burned the edge of the cup.

But we enjoyed the round and the lessons learned. Our pro drank nothing but water after the round and made his apologies, not even staying for the traditional cookout. Butcher had a long day getting to Maine the day before. He pointed out that golf was his business and that the important part would come when he teed off for a chance at the $8,000 top prize, so he was badly in need of some rest. We wished him luck. Butcher ended up seventh and earned $850.

Abby Spector also played in the GPO. She plays and works at Natanis at least three days a week around tournament play. From July 7-9, Spector will play in the New England Women’s Championship, with a U.S. Amateur Qualifier on the 10th. That will be followed by the Maine Amateur, and if she qualifies, the U.S. Amateur. The recent college graduate then hopes to attend qualifying School the last week in August to see if she can make the LPGA Tour.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.

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