People close to junior golf in this state seem to be very happy with how the Maine State Golf Association’s Junior Tour has begun.

Since the final day of public school June 23, there have been three Maine Junior Golf activities, starting with the June 25 Jamboree and Barbecue on Chebeague Island.

“That was a great day,” said Nancy Storey, executive director of the MSGA. “We had 40 kids and 46 adults. Every kids group had an adult host.”

On June 28, 63 juniors played in the Junior Tour season opener at Belgrade Lakes. In that field were 30 boys in the 16-18 age group, 24 boys in 13-15, three girls in 16-18, plus six players in the coed 12 and under.

Then on June 29 at The Woodlands, 51 players were in the field — 25 boys 16-18, three girls 16-18, 17 boys 13-15, and six in the coed 12 and under.

“That’s an increase from a year ago,” Storey said of the two opening Junior Tour competitions. “And with school just having closed we are happy with that number.

Today at Val Halla there is a New England PGA Junior Tour event in which 16 players will participate, including perhaps Maine’s most decorated junior golfer, Logan Thompson of Mattanawcook Academy, who has won three consecutive State Class C championships, was 2016 Maine high school player of the year and took the MSGA junior title in 2016.

Brian Bickford, the Val Halla pro who has one of the better junior programs in this state at his club, said that while that number is small, it is positive, because the stroke-play tournament is being held in the heart of a holiday weekend.

Two more NEPGA Junior tournaments will be conducted this summer in Maine at Bath and Waterville.

“Unlike some other states, we are running them at an inexpensive entry fee because we think we can attract more Maine juniors,” Bickford said.

And what Maine junior golf enthusiasts would not want to play on outstanding courses like Belgrade Lakes, Woodlands, Val Halla, Bath and Waterville?

*****

This being a holiday week, one would think there would be a break in the busy MSGA tournament schedule. No Weekly Tour events normally held on Friday and Saturday are being held. That said, there is a Senior Tour event July 5 at Sable Oaks, plus a pair of Junior Tour events — July 5 at Brunswick and July 6 at Fairlawn.

*****

Allan Menne, head pro at Poland Spring, finished one shot out of the money June 26 with a 77 at the New England PGA Stroke Play Tournament held at Sterling National Golf Club in Sterling, Massachusetts.

Bill Kennedy Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.