Three Maine groups offer clinics for junior golfers

Getting something for nothing has always been the dream of people throughout history, and three Maine golf organizations are pooling their efforts to make just such an offer.

The Maine Chapter of the Professional Golfers’ Association, the Maine State Golf Association, and the Maine Golf Course Superintendents Association have set up a number of tournament certification clinics for junior golfers around the state.

The cost is zero, and the immediate reward is preferential entry into this summer’s 14 Maine Junior Golf tournaments, co-sponsored by the MSGA and the Maine Chapter of the PGA. The tournaments begin June 24 and include the Maine Junior Golf Championship on July 29-31 at Val Halla Golf Course in Cumberland.

Other benefits are a “Rules of Golf” book, a “Golf It Up” booklet from the PGA, an etiquette video from the USGA, and a one-year membership in the USGA.

“We’re getting great feedback on that, from parents, golf course owners…. Everyone is kind of on board with the concept,” said Nancy DeFrancesco, executive director of the MSGA.

The upside for the sponsoring organizations is a more knowledgeable young golfer. Years ago, golf rules, etiquette, and course responsibility were passed on to young golfers when they caddied for their parents or other experienced golfers.

With the increased use of golf carts, those opportunities for junior golfers to learn such lessons have almost completely disappeared.

The clinics are currently set for May 19 and June 2, 5-7 p.m. each day, but others may be scheduled as well.

Augusta Country Club in Manchester, Biddeford-Saco Country Club in Saco, Point Sebago Golf and Beach Resort in Casco, and XL Golf in Hermon will be host sites on May 19. Waterville Country Club in Oakland, Samoset Resort in Rockport, Golf Learning Center in Cumberland, and XL Golf will host clinics on June 2.

“We have tons [of young golfers] signed up,” said DeFrancesco. “We even have one [older] woman who has signed up to help.”

To register in advance, there is a form on the MSGA Web site at www.mesga.org. It can then be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed.

The state’s junior team should be a contender for the New England title this year with two-time junior champion Shawn Warren of Windham, Jesse Speirs of Bangor, and Jeff Bouchard of Hampden strong candidates for the team.

“But even more important than our good kids – who are going to get the opportunities to play – is what we’re doing for the younger kids,” said DeFrancesco. “Giving them an opportunity to compete in a quality event, while teaching them the values behind the sport.”

Sand storm

While the amount of snow and rain that has fallen on eastern Maine this year seems much higher than last year, it’s still being absorbed quickly.

That became quite evident Saturday.

At Katahdin Country Club in Milo, there is a huge sand bunker more than 90 yards long and about 60 yards wide between the sixth and seventh holes.

At one point near noontime, the wind – which had been blowing at a decent clip already – gusted higher, whipped up sand from the bunker, and blew it across the seventh and eighth fairways toward the eighth green and the ninth tee. The only things missing were Lawrence of Arabia and a herd of camels playing through. Fortunately, it only lasted for a few seconds.

Sugarloaf to open Friday

Sugarloaf Golf Club in Carrabassett Valley will open Friday, and according to the announcement from Director of Golf Scott Hoisington, it’s the club’s earliest opening.

Sugarloaf was originally scheduled to open on May 10, but the opening was moved up a week because of better-than-expected weather in early and mid-April. Since then, the weather hasn’t always been the best, including snow, but it hasn’t been enough for the club to change the date.

Sugarloaf has been honored by Golf Digest magazine as the best course in Maine for 17 years, and achieved the highest honor in two other rankings of state and New England golf courses earlier this year.

Dave Barber can be reached at 990-8170, 1-800-310-8600, or by e-mail at dbarber@bangordailynews.net.