It's viva Bourque in Las Vegas

Casey Bourque, a Biddeford native,
proves he can play golf with the big boys in a PGA event.

By TOM CHARD, Staff Writer
October 24, 2008

Casey Bourque, a former Maine Amateur champion, got his second taste of the big time last weekend when he made the 36-hole cut in the PGA Tour's Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.

Bourque, the head pro at Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix, qualified for the tournament by winning the Southwest PGA Section qualifying tournament a week prior to the PGA tournament. Bourque, 31, shot a 68 to gain the only spot from a field of 20 players.

Bourque grew up in Biddeford and graduated from Biddeford High in 1995.

The first time Bourque tasted the big time was playing in the U.S. Open in 2004 at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, N.Y.

Bourque said this experience was totally different but just as thrilling. Bourque didn't make the cut on the tough Open course four years ago. This time he made the cut right on the number at 6 under.

"It was absolutely thrilling," said Bourque, who won the 1995 state amateur at the Portland Country Club as an 18-year-old.

"It was two totally different scenarios. The U.S. Open at Shinnecock had some of the toughest Open conditions in history. Everyone was just trying to make par there.

"This tournament was virtually record-setting in the other direction. I definitely went in with a different mind-set. I can't believe the numbers they shot on this course. The course was in great shape but it wasn't an easy course."

Marc Turnesa won the tournament with a 25-under 263.

It was not only thrilling for Bourque, but for his parents and his brother who watched him in Las Vegas.

"It was so exciting," said his mother, Nancy. "It was wonderful."

Bourque said he has played the best golf of his career this season. He has won six tournaments in the Southwest PGA section, including the section championship in July.

He shot 11 under in three rounds at the sectional to win by a shot in a field of 130 players and collect $4,100, plus qualify for the professional club national championship next June in Albuquerque, N.M.

If he finishes in the top 20 there, Bourque will qualify for the PGA Championship next August.

Bourque is ranked second in the points race for the Southwest PGA Section Player of the Year.

Bourque attributes his success to changes he made in his swing.

"I didn't win a tournament for two years and I've won six this year," said Bourque.

"I found something in my golf swing that just sort of clicked. My misses aren't as bad and my swing holds up better when I'm nervous."

Bourque said he was more nervous playing in last week's tournament than he was in the U.S. Open.

"I guess it was because my expectations were higher, but knowing you have to shoot 6 to 8 under to make the cut is pretty daunting," he said.

Bourque, who played at Florida Southern College, shot a 70 in the first round at Las Vegas. It was a round that could have been lower. He made seven birdies and was 5 under through 13 holes, but finished bogey-double bogey.

Bourque started the second round on the back nine. Playing No. 18, his ninth hole of the day, he sank a 50-footer for birdie before a large gallery. His putt was shown on The Golf Channel. It also brought down the house at Biddeford-Saco Country Club.

"We were watching Casey on TV and also following his progress on the Internet," said the head pro, Tim Angis. "When he made that long putt on 18, the place went crazy. Everyone was screaming."

Toward the end of the round, Bourque knew he would need to get to 6 under. On his last hole, he had a 2 1/2-foot putt to make the cut.

"There were spike marks in my line. Somehow I managed to wiggle it in the hole," he said.

He shot a 68, then added a par 72 in the third round. Bourque didn't get to play the fourth round because of a PGA Tour rule this season that allows for a cut to the low 70 and ties after 54 holes if more than 78 players make the 36-hole cut. It's designed to allow twosomes to play in a timely fashion in the final round.

"We still get paid according to where we finish," said Bourque.

Bourque was disappointed that he didn't get to play the fourth round but was pleased that he won $7,462 and finished ahead of such notables as John Daly, Paul Azinger, Jeff Quinney and Stephen Ames.

"I've received a ton of calls, e-mails and text messages from all my friends," Bourque said. "It's really amazing how many people it seemed to touch. It was great to have family and friends to share the moment with."

Bourque will put golf on hold soon, as he and his wife, Tina, are expecting their first child in three weeks.

"It's a girl and her name is Julia," he said.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

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