PORTLAND – Deane Beman trudged into the clubhouse after his first round at the 87th Charlie’s Maine Open at Riverside Municipal Golf Course on Thursday, slightly disappointed with a 1-over-par 73.
His white shirt was covered by rain, and his white Kangol hat (the same kind Ben Hogan popularized two generations ago) slipped easily off his head when he removed it to run his hand through his white hair.
“I play every day I want to,” said Beman, as he let out a laugh. “The only thing that keeps me off the course is me. I try to play five or six times a week.”
Beman sounded just like any other 67-year-old golfer enjoying his retirement. And he is, in fact, doing just that.
But unlike most retirees in Maine, Beman has a storied golf past to go with his current credentials.
From 1974 to 1994, Beman was the commissioner of the PGA Tour. Under his watch, the Champions Tour and the Nationwide Tour were born, and he created the tournament that is considered by many to be the fifth major tournament on the PGA Tour, the Players Championship.
About 10 years ago, around the same time Beman walked away from his job as commissioner, he purchased a home in Kennebunkport.
“I had been coming to Maine for about 25 years,” said Beman. “I like the courses in the area and when it came time to retire, I ended up getting a summer home here.”
At the time, Beman was still active on the Champions Tour as a player. While he won four tournaments in the five years prior to becoming tour commissioner, he never won on the senior circuit. His best finish there was a fifth place finish at the Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic.
This week marks Beman’s first foray into the Maine Open. Last year, he played in the TD Banknorth Portland Open, and this year he played in the Greater Bangor Open.
“I have to keep playing,” said Beman. “I guess I have to see if my game is still good, right?”
As to his round, Beman was as critical Thursday as he had been throughout his playing career.
“I gave away two right off the start,” said Beman, who bogeyed his first two holes. “I hit the ball pretty solid in my last 15 holes, though.”
And as for the tour he left behind years ago, Beman still keeps track, but from a distance.
“You can’t predict who’s going to win anymore,” said Beman. “I think the tour is very healthy. As far as going to tournaments, I’ll go to the President’s Cup, or the World Cup once in a while, but that’s about it.”
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