Tom Caron wins Publinx qualifier

BAR HARBOR – Tom Caron of Bangor earned his second trip to the U.S. Public Links Amateur Golf Championship in three years by winning the Northern New England qualifier at Kebo Valley Golf Club Wednesday.

Caron had rounds of 79-73 for a total of 12-over-par 152 on the windswept course to beat runnersup Jon Martin of East Sullivan and Peter Richart of Fayston, Vt., by a stroke. Martin had rounds of 80-73 for his 153. Richart led after the morning round with 76, but added a 77 in the afternoon.

Dave Brown of Bangor and Ryan Mazzeo of Norway tied for fourth at 156. Brown posted rounds of 80-76, while Mazzeo had 79-77.

Caron, 26, will compete in the Publinx tournament, conducted by the United States Golf Association, July 9-17 on the Dunes course at Riverdale Golf Course in Brighton, Colo., a suburn of Denver.

The first three days are for practice rounds, followed by two days of medal play. The low 64 advance to match play with the last two playing a 36-hole final on July 17.

Wednesday, the wind caused a lot of problems for the players. The key was in learning from the morning round.

“The second time around, we had more of an idea what to hit,” said Caron, who also won the qualifier in 1991. “Plus more putts started dropping for me.”

Caron finished before Richart and Martin, so he had to wait for their results before learning he had won.

“I understand Richart three-putted the last hole for 77. Martin needed a birdie on the last hole, but he didn’t get it,” said Caron.

Caron made only one birdie all day, a 5-footer on the seventh hole the second time around.

“It was just a tough day overall to score,” said Caron. “It was a war to break 80, at least for me.”

Caron is trying to develop some consistency in his scoring. From tee to green, he says he’s in good shape, but on the greens is a different matter.

“Either I make everything or nothing,” said Caron. “I made a lot of putts the second round, but none of them were in the center of the cup, not one.”

Publinx Qualifier At Kebo Valley CC Tom Caron, Bangor 79-73-152 Jon Martin, East Sullivan 80-73-153 Peter Richart, Fayston, Vt. 76-77-153 Dave Brown, Bangor 80-76-156 Ryan Mazzeo, Norway 79-77-156 John Johnston, Bangor 81-76-157 Chris Swan, Bar Harbor 79-79-158 Lance Fenimore, Bangor 84-78-162 Andrew Carbone, North Anson 84-81-165 Bourque O’Brien, Freeport 81-84-165 Jerry Glidden, Old Town 87-81-168 Miles Baker, Cumberland 87-82-169 Aaron Mayo, Hampden 87-83-170 Edward Vallee, Wakefield, N.H. 83-88-171 Doug Dunbar, Bangor 84-90-174 Jon Jenckes, Tucson, Ariz. 90-88-178 Scott Craig, Bangor 86-93-179 Dennis Hall, Bangor 90-100-190 John Royal, Ellsworth 83-NC Arthur McAllister, Simsbury, Conn. 86-WD Dana Worster, Brewer WD John Hutchins, Bar Harbor WD