OAKLAND – It took more time to convince Emily Allen of Turner to accept her generous offer than it took Ann Nemi of Jay to come up with the idea itself.

As she prepared to tee off at the Women’s Amateur Championship at Waterville Country Club on Monday, Nemi noticed Allen, a senior at Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C., and one of the states top young golfers, sitting on the porch overlooking the teeing ground.

“I saw here over there and asked her what she was doing,” Nemi said. “When she told me she wasn’t playing, and then why, I didn’t think twice. I told her she could have my spot as long as I got to caddie for her for three days.”

In a moment, Allen went from being the second alternate due to a late application to a contender in Maine’s biggest women’s tournament.

“I didn’t really want to do it at first,” Allen said. “She kind of made me, though. I was surprised, because Ann’s a pretty good player herself.”

Nemi was listed as a 17-handicap on the starter’s list, and the course set up well for her, but seeing Allen on the sidelines instead of in the tournament with a chance to win was enough for her.

“I finally convinced her to play,” Nemi said. “I got more reward out of doing it than I think she even realizes, and someone that good needs to play anyway.”

Overcoming nerves and three bogeys in the first four holes, Allen went on to to shoot a five-over-par 78, good for fourth place after the first day.