Cummings holds six-stroke lead

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OAKLAND – The 65th annual Women’s Maine State Golf Association State Championship has pretty much boiled down to a two-horse race, but it seems like the leader is heading into the stretch while the one running second is just getting out of the gate.

Four-time champion Pennie Cummings of Lewiston kept her six-stroke lead after finishing Tuesday’s second round at the Waterville Country Club here with a 2-over-par 75.

Cummings is at even-par 146 after the tourney’s first two days. Abby Spector of Waterville is six strokes back at 152.

This year has been a revival of sorts for Cummings, who last won the WMSGA state title in 1972. She won the women’s Bangor Daily News Amateur Golf Tournament title in June.

“I took several years off when my children were really young. Probably about seven, eight, nine years,” Cummings explained. “And I took some time off when I was working on higher education (master’s degree).”

Although she fell off a bit from Monday’s record pace of 71, Cummings’ score was still the best of the day – matching the 75 turned in by Spector.

“I scored fairly well on the back side. I had a 40 on the front side, 35 on the back,” said Cummings. “The back felt better because I kept the ball in play. The front side, I got myself in trouble.”

Cummings had the most trouble at No. 7. A shot into the water forced her to take a penalty and she ended up with a double bogey on the 300-yard, par 4 hole.

Birdies were in short supply Tuesday. Cummings had only two – on the 10th and 11th, both par 5s, but she managed par 13 times.

“Yesterday, I had birdies on two par 3s, which is unusual,” Cummings said. “There weren’t too many out there today.”

Spector also managed just two birdies. But, like Cummings, the key to her day was consistency. She parred 12 holes and bogeyed only four.

Thea Davis of Plymouth shot the only other round in the 70s Tuesday with a 78. Her total is 9-over-par 155.

“I didn’t putt nearly as well as I did yesterday,” said Davis. “I had a lot of good opportunities out there, I just didn’t take advantage of them. I hit the ball well, but I ran into trouble on a couple of holes hitting the wrong club.”

Temperatures in the high 90s and ultra fast greens took their toll on the field of 91 golfers – even the leaders.

“It was a long day out there. It was warm and you felt like you were baking on some of those greens,” said Cummings.

The 14-year-old Spector didn’t mind the heat too much.

“It does kind of take the energy out of you, but it’s not too bad. I played in Delaware, and it was hotter than this every day,” she said.

What about the greens?

“One thing I love is fast greens and these are great right now,” she answered, her eyes twinkling.

Spector attracted a mini gallery on the last three holes as 20 or 30 people turned out to cheer on the teenager playing on her home course.

“(The pressure) wasn’t too bad until the couple holes where I realized how many people were around,” Spector said. “I don’t mind it. I like it.”

Defending champ Martha White of Hampden shot an 81. The 13-time champion is fifth with a two-day total of 164.

“I’m just in a slump. That’s all it is,” White said. “Hopefully, it won’t last the rest of the year.”

Jeanne Dumont of Augusta has fourth place to herself with a second round score of 80 for a two-day total of 161.

Despite the excitement of a big lead and a chance to win the tourney for the first time in 23 years, Cummings said she doesn’t expect a sleepless night.

“Obviously, it would be outstanding. I think that would be great (to win),” said Cummings.

“Everybody feels pressure in every tournament,” she said. “And if they don’t tell you that, then I’m not sure they’re telling you the truth, but I think I’ll enjoy a good night’s rest. I had a good night’s rest last night.”

OAKLAND – Tuesday’s second-round leaders in the 65th WMSGA State Championship at Waterville Country Club, 6,108 yards, par 37-36-73: Pennie Cummings 71-75-146 Abigail Spector 77-75-152 Thea Davis 77-78-153 Jeanne Dumont 81-80-161 Martha White 83-83-164 Marie Blanchette 85-82-167 Dale Hannon 85-83-168 Midge Danaher 84-84-168 Shirley Kile 84-85-169 Betsy Frolich 86-83-169