The September issue of Golf Digest gave a big boost to Bethel Inn and Country Club Director of Golf Jason Hurd.

In a survey of fellow instructors across the country and state by state, the magazine identified the top 50 teachers in the country and the top instructors in each state.

It won’t help us much to know that Butch Harmon is No. 1 and David Leadbetter No. 2 when we consider that a morning with Leadbetter would be $5,000 if you could get Ernie Els to give up his time. But it is nice to know how our local pros rate.

Hurd was listed as No. 1 in Maine followed by Paul Piveronas and Doug Van Wickler of the Woodlands and Harvey LaMontagne.

These are all highly respected pros here in Maine. Hurd told me he was honored to be included with them and that the No. 1 rating was a real bonus.

The Plymouth, N.H., native has been at Bethel Inn since he was 16, starting summers and taking the player ability test at 19. He took over the golf school three years ago and at age 28 has increased from 256 players a year to over 400 this season.

Ninety percent of the students are guests at the inn taking part in golf school packages. He attributes the success to a three-to-one teacher/student ratio and personal involvement.

“When someone calls the hotel asking about the golf school, they are connected immediately to the Director of Golf. Our program is all inclusive, golf, lodging, and meals,” Hurd said.

In the magazine, the No. 1 pro in each state was asked to give a short tip. Hurd’s was as follows:

“Make the low running chip the workhorse of your short game. Choose a club with less loft (a 7- or 8-iron) to get the ball on the ground quickly as possible. Choke down on the club, keep your weight forward and play the ball off your back foot. Now make a putting stroke.”

He explained that most of his students are looking for basics and if he can help them with the short stroke they can do it with the full swing. He noted that most try to help the ball into the air, not understanding how the loft of the club works to lift the ball if you hit down on it.

Hurd said the magazine rating has resulted in several inquiries about the school. Once again, my questions to a pro brought me right back to basics. I’ll have to think about that when I’m practicing for the next round.

Tourney roundup

We’ve seen new champions crowned and a pair of titles successfully defended so far this month, all joining Ricky Jones, who won the Maine Amateur title in July.

Abby Spector regained her Women’s Amateur title, her seventh overall. Bob Darling Jr. of Fox Ridge defended his State Of Maine title at Sugarloaf the same day that Jesse Speirs retained his state junior championship at Val Halla.

Unfortunately, with both events going on at the same time, I could only be at one and found it easier to attend the one closest to home. It was time well spent, because Oxford’s Joe Baker and Speirs put on quite a show.

Baker played well with a 38 on the front nine and three pars on the four holes played on the back, but Speirs was just too good. The good news is that the two will be teammates beginning Monday when the New England Junior Championships get underway at Biddeford-Saco Country Club. Speirs is the defending individual champion, and Baker was part of the winning team last year.

They will be joined by Nick Boutin and Bryce Fearon of Saco, Victor Linkovich of Topsham, Will Robinson of Cumberland and Toby Spector of Waterville.

Shawn Warren traveled to the Algonquin in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, for one of his biggest victories to date. At the beginning of the month he won the Barrett East Coast Amateur Championship. Warren also qualified for the Canadian Amateur but chose not to play in that west coast event with college about to start, choosing instead to play the Maine Open closer to home.

Warren finished second to Speirs last summer in both the Maine and New England juniors. The Barrett title will give him some strong momentum as he begins his college career.

Sugarloaf benefit

Here’s another tournament to consider. The 19th Annual CVA/Sugarloaf Golf Classic is set for Aug. 22-24 to benefit the Martha B. Webber Scholarship Fund that helps deserving students at the academy. For details, check out www.goCVA.com/golf.html.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.

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