Leslie Guenther has been a fixture in Maine women’s amateur golf for many years.
Bill Kennedy, Golf Columnist
Most recently, she tied for fifth in the Maine Women’s Senior Championship held July 29-30 at Val Halla, with a score of 19-over-par (81-82—163), which is not bad for a gal who will have a milestone birthday (60) in three weeks.
Her Maine golf resume goes back 29 years to when she came to the Pine Tree State to open the middle school at Hebron Academy, where she became athletic director for 22 years, while teaching math. In those days, she was very active at Norway, which she represented, and more recently she has played out of Mingo Springs.
In retirement, she and her husband have lived in Bowdoinham, but maintain a camp in the Rangeley area. So, she does most of her golfing at Mingo Springs, but also plays at Norway upon occasion.
Leslie Guenther prepares to hit a tee shot. The former Hebron Academy athletic director was inducted into the Maine Golf Hall of Fame in 2016. Submitted photo
Guenther is modest about her golf achievements, admitting there are humbling moments on the course along with some glory.
“I have had some good tournaments,” she said, “but I also have had some bad ones.”
Among her good moments on the links was the 2015 Maine Women’s Amateur title and the 2011 Southern Maine Women’s Golf Association crown. In addition, she was inducted into the Maine Golf Hall of Fame in 2016.
So, she definitely has had shining moments in the Maine golf sun.
*****
Micki Meggison of Spring Meadows took eighth place in the Senior Championship, shooting a two-day 165. Bambi Stevens of Turner Highlands also made the cut, and placed 24th with a score of 180.
*****
In the Maine Junior Championship at Springbrook on July 30-31, Jade Haylock of Turner Highlands ran away with the 16-18 girls championship by posting 72-71—143.
Litchfield’s Jack Quinn tied for third (74-68—142) in the boys 16-18 division, and Lewiston resident Max Belanger (104-99—203) tied for fifth in the boys 12-13 flight.
*****
Maine Golf has a women’s playday Aug. 6 at Norway, and a men’s playday Aug. 6 at Penobscot Valley.
Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 12th season as Sun Journal golf columnist.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
We invite you to add your comments, and we encourage a thoughtful, open and lively exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. You can also read our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Readers may now see a Top Comments tab, which is an experimental software feature to detect and highlight comments that demonstrate compassion, reasoning, personal stories and curiosity, and encourage and promote civil discourse.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.