Being there enough for Bourque ; Success on a U.S. Open hole that stymied many ups the thrills for Casey Bourque of Biddeford.

Portland Press Herald (Maine) 05-22-2004

Byline: TOM CHARD Staff Writer
Edition: FINAL
Section: Sports
Memo: "What a feeling to stand on the first tee of a U.S. Open and have your name and hometown announced." Casey Bourque

The treacherous, par-3, seventh hole at Shinnecock Hills certainly received its share of attention at the U.S. Open.

The hole, with its sloping and lightning fast green, was called "unfair" by several players. On Sunday, the U.S. Golf Association watered it between groups to slow it down.
But for Casey Bourque of Biddeford, playing in his first U.S. Open, the hole proved the highlight of his two rounds. Bourque shot 78-79-157 at Shinnecock Hills to miss the cut by 12 shots.

However, Bourque parred the seventh hole in the first round by hitting a PGA Tour-caliber chip shot from just over the green. Bourque played the back nine first in the opening round. When he reached No. 7, it was around noon, and the place was packed with fans.

"It was the hole everyone wanted to see because, even in the first round, word had spread that this hole was causing a lot of problems," said Bourque on Monday. "There were huge grandstands behind the tee and the green. They were four and five rows deep on both sides of the hole. It was cool to step up on the tee. The place was jam- packed.

Bourque said the hole measured just under 200 yards.

"I hit a pretty good tee shot, but the wind didn't bring it in," he said. "The ball hit the right side of the green and rolled off into some fescue above the hole. If you raised up a pool table with a couple of bricks, that's about the type of shot I faced.

"I decided to hit a lob wedge. I hit it straight up in the air. The ball somehow landed softly and started a slow roll to the hole. It must have taken about 20 seconds before it stopped a foot from the hole.

"As the ball was trickling down to the hole, the crowd noise is building. They were yelling and screaming so loud when it came to rest. The feeling was so overwhelming. They realized how tough a shot it was. It was the most people I had ever hit a shot in front of.

"Then some guy yelled out after it had quieted down: 'He still has to make the putt.' I realized, he's right, I do have to make the putt or the chip would have been wasted."

Moments later, Bourque made the putt for par. He finished his round with a birdie on the ninth hole by sinking a twisting, 20- foot downhill putt that also made the gallery erupt. But his shot on the seventh hole and overall U.S. Open experience - "a dream come true" - is what Bourque will remember most.

"What a feeling to stand on the first tee of a U.S. Open and have your name and hometown announced," he said. "My family, girlfriend and friends had come out bright and early to see me play. It was quite emotional.

"It's the toughest course I've played. With any wind at all, it was almost unplayable.

"I was pretty nervous, understandably, on the first tee, but it went away after a few holes. I parred the first hole. On the next hole, the 11th, a par-3, I hit a good tee shot, but the ball rolled over the green. I had no shot and made a double bogey. I didn't hit a bad shot and made a five on a 150-yard hole.

"On the second half of the front nines both days, I got on a bogey train. I drove it in the rough and on this course, you can't drive it in the rough. I had a rough start both days, but I'm pleased with the way I was able to hold it together and grind it out.

"Both days, I played nine holes quite solidly. I just didn't put them together."

Overall, Bourque - who plays on the Canadian PGA Tour - left the event encouraged. He feels he can play with the best.

"I left with a lot of confidence. I just need a few more opportunities. I still have played in only seven (Canadian) Tour events. I hope to make the U.S. Open an annual event," he said.

Bourque watched a little of Saturday's third round with his friends. On Sunday, he and his girlfriend, Tina, had breakfast at Shinnecock Hills and left to play golf at a course in Allentown, Pa., where he used to work.

Bourque leaves today for Vancouver, where he will play the next four tournaments on the Canadian Tour. He has made two cuts in seven tournaments on the Tour.

He'll return to Maine in late July to play in the Greater Bangor Open and then the Maine Open in early August. He'll likely be the only player in those tournaments who can say he played in this year's U.S. Open.

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

tchard@pressherald.com

Illustrations/Photos:
Caption: Casey Bourque

Copyright 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.