A disturbing turn of events, it is not. A major concern it is not.

The fact that last week’s Charlie’s Maine Open at Augusta was dominated by out of state golfers simply is a fact of Maine golf life.

Tom Moffatt, operational manager of the Maine Chapter of the New England PGA, said: “What you’re finding is mini tour guys coming to Maine in their off season.”

That might account for the fact that Shawn Warren of Falmouth, finishing in a 14th place tie, was the top Maine pro in the Open. But there is another reason that the Open field was predominantly players from out of state.

“Our Maine chapter pros are busy at their own clubs,” Moffatt said, acknowledging that summer is prime time for Pine Tree State professionals, who need to be at their regular jobs every day. “The demands at our own jobs keep us away from tournaments at this time of year.”

In August, Moffett will run the Maine Pro Championship at Sugar Loaf and he does not expect a large field. If 20-25 Maine professionals compete, that is an expected number.

Nancy Storey, executive director of the Maine State Golf Association which runs the Open, said: “It’s typical. Our Maine golf professionals are working and they cannot afford to take time off to play three days.”

She pointed out that there were only 17 teams in the Open’s pro-am a week ago.

“I wouldn’t say it is a concern,” she said. “It’s a trend.”

And for those Maine players who are attempting to earn a spot on a professional tour, it is forcing them to leave the state.

“A lot of our players who are trying to make it have to move,” she said.

And that is a hard fact about Maine golfers who dream about some day being on the PGA Tour. Suffice it to say, it is next to impossible for a golfer to live in Maine all year and to develop a game good enough to make that tour.

*****

The Maine State Golf Association Junior Tour held a tournament July 23 at Martindale with several tri-county players participating.

In the boys’ 15-17 division, AJ Parisi of Auburn carded an 84 or 11th place, with Nicholas Gammaitoni of Auburn 91 for a tie at 21st, Brendan Donovan of Auburn 92 for 23rd and Justin Keaney of Auburn had 93 for 24th. In the boys’ 13-14, Evan Glicos of Windham, who is a Martindale member, shot 77 for second place with Iain Frumiento of Auburn 81 for fourth, Aaron Perkins of Auburn 87 for seventh, Demetri Gammaitoni 96 for 12th and Brendan Fisher of Auburn 106 for 13th.

In the girls’ 15-17, Stephanie Rodrigue of Lewiston finished first with a 76, followed by Janelle Bryant of Gray with an 85 for second place.

Markella Gammaitoni of Auburn was the only girls’ 13-14 competitor with 108, and Colin Merritt of Auburn shot a 44 in the nine-hole 12 and under bracket for third place.

On July 29 at Dutch Elm, AJ Parisi of Auburn was eighth in boys’ 15-17 with an 82 and Adam White of Lisbon was 20th, shooting 91. In boys’ 13-14, Evan Glicos of Windham, a Martindale member, fired an 85 for third place, and in girls’ 15-17, Janelle Bryant of Gray carded an 85 for second place. On July 30 at Clinton, AJ Parisi shot 84 in the boys’ 15-17 competition for eighth place, and Evan Glicos carded a 94 in boys 13-14 to finish fifth.

*****

This week’s big MSGA event is the Maine Pro/Junior tomorrow at Toddy Brook and the two-day Junior Championship Tuesday and Wednesday at Toddy Brook. Thursday at Lake Kezar there will be a Senior Tour event. The Weekend Tournament will be Friday and Saturday at Highland Green.

Copy the Story Link