March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

`Sandbagger’ cries spring up> `C’ flight susceptible, but Veilleux’s 77 is his best in 36 years

BANGOR – As one in the third group teeing off in the C Flight of the CITGO Paul Bunyan Amateur Golf Tournament Friday, Malcolm Grant was one of the first to finish. So after Grant, a 16 handicapper, reported his first-round 77 around 11 a.m., the other players had all day to react.

If you’re saying “sandbagger” right now, you’re not the first. That was the word of the day Friday as golfers learned of Grant’s low score – even on the smooth, wide-open Bangor Municipal Golf Course.

It wasn’t until the end of the day that Matt Wyatt of Somersworth, N.H., shot a 74 to take the lead from Grant and Hank Veilleux, who were tied at 77.

“For a C Flight of hackers, for someone to shoot in the 70s with a 16 handicap, they have to have a career round,” said Richard Rusnica of Newport.

Well, ironically, Veilleux did.

Around 5 p.m., Veilleux came off the 18th green and reported his 77 in a state of bewilderment. The last time the 57-year-old Lamoine resident shot a 77, he was 21.

Veilleux has a 19 handicap and he is handicapped.

Veilleux was born with his right arm immobile, so he can only use one arm after he makes contact with the ball.

When Veilleux drives, he braces his club against his right hand and, after striking the ball, holds it with his left hand as he brings the club under his right arm. Or is that over?

“I can’t remember which I do,” the jovial Veilleux said. “I have two handicaps: my 19 and my arm. I’m usually in the 90s. Today, I played out of my shoes.”

After retiring as principal at Wilton Academy in 1992, Veilleux moved to Lamoine and opened The Berry Cove House bed and breakfast. He had more time for golf, but never took lessons because he never expected to improve with his physical handicap.

However, Veilleux also found more time to read and as he learned about different techniques in golf books, he saw improvement in his game. But nothing like Friday’s round.

“I shot a 91 here two years ago,” Veilleux said. “I thought that was great then.”

Veilleux went from hitting in the high 90s last year to the low 90s. Friday he hit for par on 13 holes, bogeyed three, and had one double bogey for 38-39-77.

When Veilleux finished, there was no scoffing or skeptic tearing him down.

Bangor Muni employee Rob Jarvis, who recorded scores at the leader board, was genuinely impressed.

“I know [Veilileux] is not lying. I’ve seen him play,” Jarvis said to another golfer. “A 77 is a great round for him.”

Dick Marston, who played in Veilleux’s group, said Friday’s co-leader played the ball straight down the fairways and putted well.

“He was steady. I watched him swing with his left arm all day. It’s amazing,” Marston said.

Still, a 77 is a 77. And in the C flight Friday, the low score was deemed as unlikely and inappropriate as a professional caddie.

When the group behind Veilleux finished, the talk went from celebration back to cynicism.

“That’s a sandbag. A 77? You’ve really got to wonder about that,” one golfer said.

Veilleux would not argue.

“You’ll see me back in the 90s tomorrow,” he said with a deep laugh.


Have feedback? Want to know more? Send us ideas for follow-up stories.

comments for this post are closed

You may also like