The largest field in the two-year history of the Exotics Tour Pro-Am Series is projected Tuesday at Sunday River.
Among those golf professionals in that field will be Jimmy Gilleon, a teaching pro at the Bethel Inn Resort. Johnny Johnston, the founder and chairman of the Exotics Tour, is excited about the fact that Gilleon is playing in his first Exotics event.
“This guy can play,” Johnston said. “He has been in and won a lot of tournaments.”
The Sunday River event is the fourth of five regular season Exotics Tour tournaments. No. 5 is next month at Falmouth, and the tour championship is in October at Old Marsh.
Gilleon, who was head pro at Sunday River in 2011-12, most certainly will have the advantage of local knowledge, and he is believed to hold the course record there from black tees at 67. Still, he cautions about the optimism of him being a contender there.
“I have not played in a tournament in four years, so we’ll see how my nerves are,” Gilleon, 47, said.
Gilleon was also told the tournament will not necessarily be played from the black tees, which may take away his strengths.
“There are lots of places at Sunday River where you can be in trouble off shorter tees,” he said.
Still, Gilleon has a wealth of experience under his belt, having been a tournament pro since 1993. He has played on mini tours like Hooters, eGolf Professional (Tarheel) and Web.com (Nationwide/Nike). In addition he has been many times to the PGA Q School attempting to qualify for a PGA exemption card. In 2000, he captured the Massachusetts Open championship and followed up that in 2001 by winning the Maine State Open.
So why is this Gilleon’s inaugural appearance in the Exotics Tour? Apparently, word of its popularity and success did not reach him until recently.
“Dave Cummings of Portland told me about it and thought it would be silly for me not to try it,” he said.
The $3,000 first place prize money.provides additional incentive to be in the field.
Also entered in this Exotics event for the first time is head pro Nick Glicos of Martindale.
Haylocks prevail
With a net 65, Harry and Heidi Haylock of Turner Highlands took first place in couples division net Aug. 17 at the MSGA Mixed Championship at Willowdale.
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- Bill Kennedy
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