Defending GBO titlist eyes repeat Salinetti tinkering with swing, driver

BANGOR – For Jim Salinetti of Lee, Mass., defending champion in the $50,000 Greater Bangor Open golf tournament, this year has been one of change.

The first change, to his swing, has been an ongoing process through the year.

The second change became necessary when he discovered during Wednesday’s pro-am that his driver was broken.

Both changes will be put to the test today as play in the 36th edition of the three-day tournament gets under way at Bangor Municipal Golf Course.

“I was hitting it kinda funny on the front nine,” said the 24-year-old pro of his driver. “I looked on the ninth tee and the head was loose.”

He thought it could be fixed, but it wasn’t something he wanted to do right away.

“I could go get it fixed, but then I couldn’t trust it anyway,” he said. “I’ll use an old one or a friend’s.”

Salinetti has been struggling this year and part of that has been due to the swing change.

“It’s a constant process,” Salinetti said. “The change is done. Now it’s [a matter of] getting used to it.”

Salinetti wouldn’t go into the details of his swing change.

“It was just something I needed to do – and didn’t hesitate to do,” said Salinetti.

“I didn’t think it would take as long to adjust,” he added. “I think in the long run it will definitely pay off.”

Being back in Bangor has him feeling good, though.

“When you come back to a place where you’ve won, your confidence is high,” he said, “so I’m looking forward to it.”

Also, he said, “If you only have good thoughts on a course, it turns into a fun week.”

Salinetti finished with a 3-under-par 68 Wednesday, six strokes off the pace of pro Don Bell. Pro Jerry Wood posted a 64. Maine pros John Hickson of Old Orchard Beach and Jim Nickerson of Cumberland headed a group at 66.

Par changes to 69 starting today as the two short par 5’s, Nos. 15 and 18, become par 4’s.

Other top challengers for the $10,000 first prize may include past winners Billy Downes (2000) of Hampden, Mass., Joe Cioe (1998) of Crystal River, Fla., Hampden native Hickson (1997), Rich Parker (1988) of Lebanon, N.H., Brian Lawton (1996) of Bangor, Eric Egloff (1995) of Rockville, Md., and Mike Baker (1986 co-champ) of Bradley.

Top amateurs competing are Paul Bunyan Amateur Golf Tournament winners Mike Norris (1999) of Newburgh and Ryan Day (2000) of Lamoine, and Maine Amateur runners-up James Frost Jr. of Calais, Greg Hanna of Augusta, and Corey Poulin of Jackman.