Two members of the Browne family of Vassalboro head the list of four members of the golf community who will be inducted into the Maine Golf Hall of Fame in September.

Brothers James Browne and Robert Browne will be inducted posthumously while longtime Megunticook Golf Club pro Frank Leary of Warren and longtime high school golf coach John LaFond of Windham round out this year’s list.

The induction ceremony will be held Sept. 12 at Highland Green Golf Club in Topsham at 7 p.m.

The Brownes follow in the footsteps of their dad, Paul, who was inducted in 2006.

The Browne family has been an ardent supporter of young golfers. Bob Browne and Jim Browne were instrumental in offering their facility, Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro, as host of the Maine high school golf championships.

“They’ve done a lot for high school golf and junior golf,” said Maine Golf Hall of Fame executive director Gary Rees. “It’s nice to see them get in there.”

Bob Browne was the superintendent at Natanis from 1967 to 1980 under his father, who built Natanis. Robert became owner and general manager in 1981 after his father died, and he held those positions until his own death in 2003.

Bob Browne expanded Natanis to 27 holes in 1991, then made Natanis the only 36-hole facility in the state by opening a fourth nine in 2001.

In addition, he was part owner of Lakewood Golf Club from 1980 until his death, including from 1987 with his brother Jim.

Jim Browne was the superintendent at Waterville Country Club in Oakland from 1972-86 before becoming part owner and general manager at Lakewood from ’87 until his death in 2005. He added the title of general manager of Natanis when his brother died.

LaFond has been a high school golf coach for 30 years, first at Deering in Portland and now at Portland High.

His Deering team won the 1981 state championship, then he added four more after moving over to Portland (’95, ’97, ’99 and 2000). His overall record is 232-98-8.

Leary has been a member of the PGA since 1971 and the pro at Megunticook for 36 years. He is a past president of the Maine chapter of the New England PGA, the Maine Golf Hall of Fame president and organized the Maine PGA Seniors tournament program.

“He’s a real nice man. He’d do anything for you,” said Rees.

MSGA scholarships announced

The Maine State Golf Association was awarded $1,100 scholarships to a dozen students for the coming school year.

The scholarships are annually renewable based on good academic standing for a maximum of four years of undergraduate study.

The scholarship fund is intended for young Maine people of good character who show an active participation in golf as a player or employee with financial need and a record of academic achievement.

This year’s recipients are Gavin Cote of Dexter, Kyle Norweg of Norridgewock, Robert Toothaker of Dyer Brook, Matt Enman of Limestone, Michael Hersey of Presque Isle, Nathan Adams of Frankfort, Jennifer Doiron of Brewer, Taylor Quint of Hodgdon, Cody Berkowitz of Saco, Adrian Bouthot of Hanover, Jonathon Roy of Lewiston and Ryan Billings of Topsham.

WMSGA Tri-State team set

The Women’s Maine State Golf Association has selected its team members for the annual Tri-State competition with New Hampshire and Vermont.

This year’s event is June 18-19 at Jay’s Peak Golf Club in Jay, Vt.

Maine team members are: Debby Gardiner, Mary Brandes, Dale Hannon, Kristin Kannegieser, Leslie Guenther, Micki Meggison, Cecily Whiting, Viola Kemp, Rosemary Lyons, Helen Plourd, Liz Wiltshire, Pam Johnson, Bern Michaud, Ann Lang, Gail Gleason, Madolin Fogarty, Meriby Sweet, Sandra Meehan, Charleen Wiseman, Diane Herring, Donni Witham, Claudette Amoroso, Janet Drouin, Linda Pearse, Sharon Nelson, Nancy Pratt, Judy Edgecomb, Jan Ogier, Norma Michaud, Marianne Lee and Bobbi Berry.

dbarber@bangordailynews.net

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