Pro-am kicks off GBO today Salinetti to defend tournament title

Defending champion Jim Salinetti of South Lee, Mass., reacquaints himself with Bangor Municipal Golf Course today when the 36th Greater Bangor Open golf tournament kicks off with 35 teams participating in the pro-am event.

Each foursome matches one pro with players from businesses whose sponsorships help raise the tournament’s $50,000 purse.

Wednesday’s activities also include the popular driving contest for tournament competitors and a junior clinic.

Thursday, Salinetti heads a field of 161 pros and amateurs who will start three days of play in the regular portion of the event.

The pros are vying for a first-place check of $10,000. The top amateur earns $500 in merchandise credit.

The only amateur who has won the GBO was Mark Plummer of Manchester in 1979.

In addition to Salinetti, other contenders may include past GBO winners Michael Baker of Bradley, Brian Lawton of Bangor, Eric Egloff of Rockville, Md., John Connelly of Stow, Mass., Rich Parker of Lebanon, N.H., Joe Cioe of Crystal River, Fla., and Billy Downes of Hampden, Mass.

Also, Michael Sims of Bermuda won the New England Open last year, and David Gunas of Amston, Conn., won the Greater Portland Open last month.

Among the top amateurs competing are James Frost of Calais, runner-up in the Maine Amateur Golf Championship earlier this month; former Maine Amateur runners-up Corey Poulin of Jackman and Greg Hanna of Augusta; and 2000 R.H. Foster/Mobil Energy Paul Bunyan Amateur winner Ryan Day of Lamoine.

All players compete over 18 holes Thursday and Friday. After Friday’s round, the field will be cut for Saturday’s 18-hole finale.