Ex-Orono star Veno shares lead Seven tied with 1-over-par 71

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FALMOUTH FORESIDE – Jim Veno was a golf phenom when he won the Maine Amateur twice during and just after his days at Orono High School.

Now the 63-year-old Old Orchard Beach resident is competitive once again as he shares the lead at this year’s Amateur with six other players after shooting an opening-round 1-over-par 71 Tuesday at Portland Country Club.

“It doesn’t feel like it (has been a long time),” said Veno after his round. “I don’t feel old. I still feel comfortable.”

Also tied for the lead are Shawn Warren of Windham, Dane Hutchins of Falmouth, Gary Manoogian of Westbrook, Toby Spector of Waterville, Tobey Buteau of Scarborough, and Joe Baker, playing out of Paris Hill Country Club.

Thirteen-time Amateur champ Mark Plummer of Manchester heads a group of four at 72, which includes Ron Brown Jr. of Cumberland Foreside, Craig Briggs of York, and Ross McGee of Clinton.

Due to three rain delays which totaled more than 3 1/2 hours, more than 25 players were unable to finish due to darkness.

They were asked to return today at 7 a.m. in order to finish their rounds. If all goes well, they will have between an hour and an hour-and-a-half before starting their second rounds at their originally scheduled times.

It’s not the first time rain has affected play in the Amateur at Portland Country Club. In 1995, the first day was a complete washout.

Veno earned his first Amateur title after his sophomore year, in 1960, and followed with his second two years later, shortly after graduating from Orono.

That year, 1962, he also won the Maine Junior Golf Championship and the Maine Open.

After that, he had a short stint in college golf, then turned pro, but gradually drifted away from playing.

About 15 years ago, at age 48, he worked to get his game in shape for an attempt at qualifying for the Senior PGA (now Champions) Tour.

While he didn’t qualify there, he eventually did start playing an occasional Maine Open as a pro.

He eventually had his amateur status restored.

Now he’s playing more than he has in years, and for no particular reason.

“I just felt like it,” he said.

On Fridays, he plays in the weekly Maine State Golf Association events. He says he’s playing with a fun group, but he also gets a side benefit out of it – playing in competition.

“It sharpens your edge,” he said.

Veno seems to have had enough edge Tuesday, but he’s not getting overconfident about it.

“I was just trying to play good,” he said with a grin. “I’d like to play good tomorrow [Wednesday] and play with the wise guys on Thursday.”

He was playing with two of the potential “wise guys” Tuesday – Plummer and Brown.

“It was the first time I played with Mark,” said Veno, who pointed out that they both got off to quick starts.

Plummer made the turn at 2-under 33, but Veno three-putted No. 6 and was at 1 under.

“On the back, it was hard to get into a real good rhythm,” said Veno.

The second delay stopped them on the 16th hole. When they resumed play, Plummer bogeyed the last three holes, while Veno sandwiched a pair of bogeys around a birdie on 17.

“Everybody was having the same troubles,” Veno said.

“The fairways were a little wet,” said Plummer. “I had a juicy wet second shot on 16 and chili dipped the next shot. I hit a lousy iron in on 17 and a lousy iron in on 18.”

Plummer had still been 1-under par when he reached the 16th tee.

“That pretty much got my momentum going the other way,” he said.

Other than that finish, Plummer said he was OK with his round.

“I’m happy with 72,” said Plummer. “Just not happy with the way I shot it.”

Spector’s putting was what saved him, he said.

“I got up and down on almost every hole on the back nine [to save pars],” he said. “I putted great.”

McGee also putted well.

“I made three putts in a row from 50 feet,” he said.

One was for par on 10, the others were for birdies on 11 and 12.

“It was insane,” said Spector, who played with McGee.

Mike Norris of Newburgh finished at 73, two-time champion Ricky Jones of Thomaston shot a 74, and Joe Alvarez of Veazie and J.J. Frost of Brewer posted 75s.

After today’s second round, the field will be cut to the low 40 and ties for Thursday’s 18-hole finale.