Josh Kershner was standing near the green at the 17th hole at Waterville Country Club earlier this week, watching his fiance Abby Spector try to sink a putt during the Women’s Maine State Golf Association tournament, when a woman sidled up to him.

“I cried when I heard about Abby,” the woman said in hushed tones as Josh watched Abby intently.

“You cried?” he responded, never taking his eyes off the 23-year-old Waterville native on the green below. “I just stopped crying last week.”

It’s been an emotional year for Kershner, who stuck by Spector’s side as she underwent emergency open-heart surgery last fall.

“I was in the hospital every day, 16 hours a day,” he said Monday after watching Abby finish the first round of competition with a score of 84 – much better than the 90 she was hoping for. “I’ve seen her at her worst and at her best. She’s doing really well.”

I’ve had a chance to see the couple together for two years in a row as Abby, one of the most successful golfers in state history, has competed in the WMSGA championships. She’s won it seven times and after last year’s win, she told us she was going to turn professional.

But then came the surgery, which happened after Abby went into the hospital for a routine procedure to repair a congenital heart defect. She was released from the hospital but suffered complications and was rushed back to the hospital.

Spector’s recovery is still ongoing.

When I saw Josh at the WMSGA tournament this year, I was struck by his dedication. It’s so easy to run from relationships when things get tough, but Josh didn’t. He was at the hospital with Abby every day. They played indoor golf in Waterville this winter when she was able to. He got back on the course with her when she felt she could. He was even understanding when she decided to choose her father as her caddie at this year’s WMSGA tournament.

Last year that role went to Josh; this year he served as a spotter, standing several hundred yards down the holes, watching to see where her tee shots went. I got the feeling that giving him the glorified assistant caddie role was more for Josh – to help him continue to feel involved in her game. I wondered if he got more out of it than she did.

After the round Abby explained to a pack of reporters why she made the switch: Her father has been working with her more this summer because Josh has a job.

Josh has been understanding about the change. When Abby was asked a question about the caddie switch, Josh overheard and walked over to hear the answer.

“I’m listening,” he reminded her with a smile.

“I’ve already told you this,” she replied quickly with a grin. On Wednesday, Abby let Josh do the caddying.

Then there’s the new diamond ring on her finger. (I’ve only talked to Abby a few times in the past but I couldn’t resist the old can-I-see-your-ring thing that girls often do).

Kershner proposed 21/2 weeks ago. The two plan to move to North Carolina at the end of August so she can finish school and he can work at a golf course there.

The ring on her finger – in addition to her ongoing sight problems and lack of endurance coordination – is just one more thing to get used to.

“I told her she had to play with it on,” he said with a laugh. “If I was going to give it to her she was going to learn to play golf with it.”

Jessica Bloch can be reached at 990-8193, (800) 310-8600, or jbloch@bangordailynews.net.