Sims makes history Bermuda golfer wins tourney by 2 strokes

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ROCKPORT – He received the big handshake – several, actually – the big trophy, but not the big paycheck for winning the New England Open golf tournament Thursday.

That’s because Michael Sims of Bermuda became the first amateur in the 28-year history of the tournament to win it.

Sims, playing in his first tournament against pros, posted a 4-under-par 66 Thursday for a three-day total of 202 and a two-stroke edge over runner-up Brian Quinn of Philadelphia.

Quinn, the leader after each of the first two days, finished with a 71 for 204. He picked up the $9,000 first-place check from the $48,000 purse.

Mike Baker, the assistant pro at Bangor Municipal Golf Course, had a hot hand in the middle of Thursday’s round and also shot a 66 to finish third at 205.

Sims had thought about turning pro earlier this year, but decided against it. Thursday’s win did not have him rethinking that decision.

“Not at all. I wanted to keep all my options open,” said Sims. Those options include finishing his college degree in business at the University of Rhode Island, where he will be today.

“Class at 11, astronomy,” said Sims with a chuckle. “The important ones were yesterday. I hope the professors understand.”

Sims, who did earn $500 in merchandise credit as the low amateur, started the day three strokes behind Quinn and tied with former URI teammate Jim Salinetti of Lee, Mass. All three played in the final group Thursday.

Sims and Quinn parred the first six holes, but the gap closed when Quinn three-putted the par-3 seventh for bogey.

Quinn’s lead was down to one after No. 8 when Sims drilled his tee shot to the right of the green, chipped close, and sank the birdie putt.

Sims tied Quinn with another birdie on nine, took the lead with a birdie on 11, and widened it with a birdie on 12.

Even Sims, who has set three course records and won three tournaments this year, was amazed at that stretch.

“Four birdies in five holes. Wow,” he said. “Then I bogeyed 13 and came right back with a birdie on 14.”

With that, he had a two-stroke lead with four holes to play. All he needed to do was par in and force everyone else to try to catch him. They could not.

“I made no putts today,” said Quinn. “I hit a lot of good putts, but I just got the edges here and there.

“I just needed to get one [long one]. If I get one, then maybe I can make a run.”

Baker moved within a stroke of the lead after making birdies on nine, 10, and 11, but he could get no closer.

He was still within two on 17, but a tough break led to bogey and his run was done.

“I could’ve putted better,” he said. “I made a lot of birdies, but I was close on so many [more].”

Quinn, who has been close to winning a couple of times this year, admits to being frustrated.

“I’d rather have the win than the money,” said Quinn. “It means that much to me.”

Salinetti bogeyed the first hole, birdied the eighth to get within two, but couldn’t get any closer either.

“We got lapped today,” said Salinetti, winner of the Greater Bangor Open in July.

Sims’ temperament stayed even throughout the round, whether he hit a good shot or one less so.

It wasn’t always that way.

“I was getting frustrated [at one time],” said Sims. “Steve [Napoli, the pro at Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, R.I., where Sims works] worked with me on that.

“He said, ‘Hit the ball, find it, and hit it again. Go have fun.”‘

Thursday was his day to have fun.