BANGOR – Many golfers are proud when they can say they played a round – or more – with one ball.

The one-ball discussion takes on an entirely different meaning when it comes to tournament play, though, and it’s a rule that some people are unfamiliar with. Basically, it means when you start a round with one type of ball, you have to play that type all the way through.

Young amateur Tim Hardy of Bangor is familiar with the rule, but unfortunately, he ran afoul of it during last week’s 36th Greater Bangor Open golf tournament at Bangor Municipal Golf Course.

Hardy, playing in the first round Thursday, hit three balls out of bounds on the 10th tee. His problem at that point was that he had started the day with three Titleist Pro V1s and he had none left.

He finished with another kind of ball, but he knew he had to ask if the one-ball rule was in effect.

“I could tell by the look on his face he knew what the ruling would be,” said Brian Enman, head pro at Bangor Muni and head rules official for the GBO.

The violation meant disqualification from the tournament.

The rule went into effect more than 10 years ago, according to Enman, and the GBO adopted it when it did.

The reason the rule was written was because players would change balls based on the varying conditions during a round, according to Enman.

“With the wind, they would hit a wound ball,” said Enman, using wind as an example. The ball would get up in the air and carry longer.

“They would hit a solid ball if there was a stiff cross-breeze or into the wind,” he said, because the ball would bore through the wind better.

“Now you have to use the same type of ball with identical markings,” Enman said. “If you start with a Pro V1, for instance, you can’t switch to an NXT Distance, or vice versa.”

The only marking that can be different is the number on the ball.

He had one other option, according to Enman.

“The funny thing is, he could have tried to borrow one from one of [the other players],” said Enman. “He’s a quiet, young kid, though, and I don’t think he would have thought of that.

“To be honest with you, I don’t think I would have thought of it either.”

Enman was a little surprised that Hardy began with only one sleeve of balls.

“Confidence is one thing,” said Enman, “but he only went out with three balls.”

Enman said, “I bet he doesn’t do it again.”

Bangor Muni tester

Paul Dickinson of Apopka, Fla., winner of the $50,000 GBO Saturday, didn’t think much of the golf course when he played it in the pro-am, but his thoughts changed as the tournament progressed.

“The pro-am Wednesday was the first time I saw the golf course,” said Dickinson. “The first day, the greens were slow and shaggy. I didn’t think very much of [the course].

“By the first and second rounds, the greens had firmed up. Once the greens firmed up, the character of the course came up. Then I enjoyed it.”

Ryan Ouellette of West Palm Beach, Fla., added, “With the wind and the greens, we call it the British Open of New England. It’s a fun tournament.”

Speirs’ conduct noticed

Ouellette was impressed with the way Jesse Speirs, the 15-year-old amateur from Bangor, handled himself during the final round of the GBO. Speirs finished tied for second with Ouellette, a stroke behind Dickinson.

Ouellette described to some of his fellow pros how Speirs had made back-to-back birdies after Dickinson had gone eagle-birdie and Ouellette had made birdie-birdie on the same two holes.

“He’s more mature than 15,” said Ouellette.

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