Walsh finds golf to be useful ally in cancer battle Maine coach plays in GBO pro-am

BANGOR – Still on the mend from recent cancer surgery, University of Maine men’s hockey coach Shawn Walsh welcomed the opportunity to play in the 35th Greater Bangor Open pro-am Wednesday.

“I have another 30 days of [taking] immunotherapy drugs,” said Walsh. ‘You just have to get through it.

“You’ve got a choice. You can sit at home or you can enjoy life.”

Walsh has decided on the latter.

“I appreciate being outside and the pure competition of golf,” said Walsh. “And the camaraderie.”

Walsh played Bangor Municipal Golf Course with pro Joe Cioe of Crystal River, Fla., and amateurs Bob McGary of Bangor and Ken Yehle of Hampden.

He wished he could have helped his team more.

“I just didn’t hit the ball well,” said Walsh, who has lost a lot of weight and strength due to the cancer treatments.

He started connecting better on the fifth hole, but it still proved frustrating at times. One hole stood out, though.

“Having a chance to make [par] 4 after being in the woods, that was a good feeling,” said Walsh of the 14th hole. “That’s what brings you back.”

Walsh was impressed by Cioe, a past GBO winner who posted a 65.

“Playing with Joe was a real treat,” said Walsh.

It didn’t hurt that they had things in common, such as both having played at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles and they both know Brad Faxon of the PGA Tour.

Walsh chatted with a lot of people, all of it focused on golf.

Yehle recently returned from a trip to Great Britain which included playing the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland. He also was on hand for the final round of the British Open.

“What did you think of the courses?” asked Walsh, who has made the trip, too.

Bangor Muni pro Brian Enman invited Walsh to play in the pro-am.

“I decided to give it a shot,” said Walsh. “I was a little concerned because I was a little low on the energy scale. I wanted to hold up my end of the bargain.”

He felt well enough to play Wednesday, despite temperatures which climbed up to 86 degrees.

“Talking to all the doctors, they say exercise is great for you,” said Walsh.

He enjoyed the time out.

“On the course, your mind can escape,” said Walsh. “That’s nice.

“Maybe that’s the beauty of sport.”