In all probability, no one ever will win as many Maine state golf championships as Mark Plummer.

That said, Shawn Warren probably is the all-time golf money winner for Vacation Land. This claim probably would require a great deal of research, but it is believed that no Maine golfer ever has cashed as much prize money as Warren.

If for no other reason, and there are many others, Bates College on July 28 announced that it has acquired the services of a potentially great golf coach in Shawn Warren. He is scheduled to start working at Bates on Aug. 14.

Warren was recommended to Bates by its women’s golf coach, Abby Spector, whom he has known since he was 12 years old. Spector is one of the great female golfers in Maine history.

One of the questions asked about his pro golf career was whether or not he could continue to play in pro tournaments? Can he blend coaching and pro tournament play?

“There will be discussion on this,” Warren said. “I will miss a few.”

Does Warren think that playing in pro tournaments over the past 15 years will be an asset in recruiting?

“I think it will help me to get the word out,” he said.

That said, Warren is realistic. He knows that Bates is an NCAA Division III college with high admissions standards, like all of the institutions of higher learning in the New England Small College Athletic Conference.

“Obviously, the top focus at Bates is academic,” Warren said. “I just want to show golfers how to succeed. This is a challenge to every coach at Bates.”

Bates will continue to play its matches at Martindale, but an indoor facility has been created on campus, so that golfers can get in some swings a couple of times a week over the winter months between the fall and spring schedules.

Warren, a 2003 graduate of Windham High School and a 2007 graduate of Marshall University, seems to have a grasp on the Bates sports philosophy, and he welcomes it as a test.

******

Andrew Slattery of Portland, formerly of Martindale, is leading the Maine Golf points standings for Player of the Year. James Frost of Fox Ridge is tied for seventh.

In the senior men’s standings, Len Cole of Martindale is tied for fifth.

*****

Maine Golf has two tournaments scheduled during the week. The women will play the annual Janet Drouin Memorial Aug. 8 at Natanis. The men have a Play Day event slated for Aug. 8 at Bethel Inn.

Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 11th season as Sun Journal golf columnist.

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