There's Tiger and Phil, and hey, there's Casey ; Casey Bourque, a Biddeford native, will tee off with the world's best in the U.S. Open today.

Portland Press Herald (Maine) 06-17-2004

Byline: TOM CHARD Staff Writer
Edition: Final
Section: Sports

Casey Bourque, who won the Maine Amateur title at 18, has played his share of tournament golf as a professional over the past few years.

But nothing that Bourque, a 27-year-old Biddeford native, has done on the course or the practice range can prepare him for the challenge of playing in his first U.S. Open.
Bourque was to tee off at 7:20 a.m. today in the 104th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, N.Y. He's playing in a major championship with 155 of the best players in the world.

Despite the pressure, Bourque said he's confident in his game.

"I'm hitting it well," said Bourque, who played practice rounds at Shinnecock the last three days.

Bourque will deal with what every golfer in the Open faces. Along with the demanding course conditions, his top challenge will be keeping his emotions in check.

"If I can manage my emotions, forget I'm playing in a U.S. Open before thousands of people and just hit the shots, I should do OK," Bourque said.

Bourque, who plays on the Canadian tour, qualified for the Open a week ago at a United States Golf Association 36-hole sectional qualifying tournament in Summit, N.J.

Bourque, who shot rounds of 69 and 70, is the only player from the Canadian tour in the U.S. Open.

"I wouldn't be here without my Canadian Tour experience," said Bourque, who's also an assistant pro at Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club in New Hampshire. "It's only my first year on the Canadian Tour but I've learned so much in a short time."

Bourque's experience on the tour isn't extensive; he's played in just seven tournaments and made the cut just twice. His best finish was 23rd at the Barton Creek Challenge in Austin, Texas, where he won $1,409.

"The cuts I have missed have been close," he said.

With little pro success, Bourque said his time at the U.S. Open this week has been fantastic.

He's enjoying the perks of playing in a major championship, like driving a courtesy car and eating in the players' lounge. He's also getting the opportunity to meet some of the world's top players.

He's hit shots on the range alongside Tiger Woods, David Toms and Mike Weir. He's met Nick Price. And he played a practice round Tuesday with PGA Tour players Rory Sabbatini, Pat Perez and Tim Clark.

"It's mind-boggling to me to be on the range next to those guys," he said.

"People who have been the best players in the world are here and I'm being included in that group. It's pretty staggering. I'm trying as hard as I can to block that out and just go about my business.

"There have been huge crowds during the practice rounds. There are large grandstands around the course and for the most part they're close to being full. There are crowds around every tee box.

"I've played in front of more people in the practice rounds here than I have ever in my career. They applaud when you hit a good shot.

"A person from the USGA announces your name on the first and 10th tees, whichever is your first hole, during the practice rounds, just like they will during the tournament. It's pretty neat. I've been signing autographs between holes."

The crowds Bourque has played before in practice rounds will be small compared to the next two days. His goal is to play well enough to make the cut and be around for the weekend.

Shinnecock Hills, which last played host to a U.S. Open in 1995, is more similar to a British Open course than a U.S. Open venue. The course is wide open and the wind blows.

"There is no tree trouble whatsoever," Bourque said.

There are other course traits that make Shinnecock Hills more than U.S. Open worthy, Bourque said.

"The fairways are narrow. The fescue grass comes in tighter on some fairways," Bourque said. "If your drive lands in the fescue, providing you're lucky enough to find it, you'll have to hit a high lofted club just to put your ball back in play.

"The primary rough is 5 to 6 inches high. The greens are fast and firm like in all Opens. You can't hit a shot hole high and expect it to stay on the green.

"In Tuesday's practice round, I hit a shot from 210 yards that landed 40 yards in front of the green and rolled over."

After playing his practice rounds, Bourque said he'll hit more drivers off the par 4s than he had planned.

"I'm hitting my driver straight so why not? I've got nothing to lose," Bourque said.

"I'm going to play smart but I still plan to play aggressively. (Today) will be like no other day I've experienced on a golf course, but once I get a couple of holes under my belt, I'll be fine."

Bourque won't be alone in his first major. His brother, Jake, will serve as his caddie, and his parents will be at Shinnecock Hills. Several friends and Biddeford-Saco Country Club members also are expected to attend.

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

tchard@pressherald.com

Illustrations/Photos:
Caption: Casey Bourque will have a golf experience like no other
he's had when he tees off at 7:20 this morning in the U.S. Open.

Copyright 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.