Professional golfers who were among the top finishers at the Charlie’s Maine Open this week had good things to say about the Augusta Country Club course.
“The place is scorable. I’ve played here the last couple of years. It’s a fun golf course. You’ve got a lot of wedges, but like I said before, you’ve got to pay attention to the slopes and not over spin the golf ball,” Jesse Larson, of Mendon, Vermont, said. Larson tied for sixth place with a six-under 134.
This was winner Matthew Campbell’s third time playing the Maine Open, and first career win. Campbell made seven birdies over his final 11 holes on Tuesday to finish at nine under 131.
“It was hittable. Soft conditions, played with a lot of wedges in your hand. A lot of birdies out there to be made,” Campbell, of Rome, New York, said.
Brian Agee of Leesburg, Virginia, said this was his first trip to Maine. While the Augusta Country Club is a much shorter course (6,214 yards from the back tees) than he’s used to playing, that didn’t make the course easier.
“This golf course is a lot of fun. Challenge-wise, it has its own set of challenges. Just because a course is short doesn’t mean it can’t bite you,” said Agee, who led after day one and finished tied for third place at 133. “The greens have a significant amount of movement in them, more than we have at home, but our golf courses at home are well over 7,000 yards. You have big surfaces to hit to. Out here you have smaller surfaces and you’ve got tree-lined fairways and sloping greens. You’ve got to be in the right spot.”
Nick Antonelli of Atkinson, New Hampshire, said this year was his third Maine Open at Augusta. Antonelli played in the afternoon on Day 1, and said while the greens became a little bumpy, the course was in great shape. Antonelli referenced the 2014 tournament, when heavy rain washed out Day 1 and made the Maine Open a one-day event.
“The staff does a great job. It’s always in good shape. Even last year, when we heard how much of a nightmare it was going to be, it ended up not being that bad. This year it’s back to being pristine. It’s always fun to play Augusta,” Antonelli, who finished the tournament at even par, said.
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While Staci Creech pulled away with a two-under 70 on Wednesday’s final day of the Maine Women’s Amateur championship at Biddeford-Saco Country Club, a few central Maine golfers had good showings in the tournament.
Lawrence grad Kelsie Dessent, who will join the new women’s golf program at Husson University in the fall, was among the leaders after shooting 79 on Day 1 and 83 on Day 2. Dessent faltered a little in the heat on Wednesday and shot 90, finishing in a tie for 13th at 252.
Carrie Langevin, who plays out of Augusta Country Club, finished in 18th place with a three-day score of 255.
Sheila Brocki of Natanis shot 262 for the tournament.
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Waterville native Chris Hamel finished the Maine Open at two under 138. It was a much-needed solid tournament after missing the cut for the final day of the Greater Bangor Open just a few days before.
“I haven’t played in too many (tournaments). I just played in Bangor last week. (I) didn’t fare too well, but hoping for a better turnout this time,” Hamel said after shooting a two under 68 on Day 1 of the Maine Open.
Hamel played an even 70 on Day 2, picking up a birdie on hole 17 and par on 18 to finish his round on a strong note.
The 2006 Class A co-champion as a student at Waterville Senior High School, Hamel played his college golf at Husson.
“I’m just playing a lot of golf,” Hamel said. “Practicing at Natanis still.”
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The Maine Junior Championship will be Wednesday and Thursday at Toddy Brook Golf Course in North Yarmouth. Among local players expected to participate in the tournament are Maine Central Institute teammates Carter Pearl and Eric Dugas.
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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