MAINE GETS TO PLAY HOST TO N.E. OPEN< THE THREE-DAY GOLF TOURNEY BEGINS TODAY AT PORTLAND CC AND THE WOODLANDS

Portland Press Herald (Maine) 09-13-1999

Casey Bourque of Biddeford says it's time, time to join the play-for-pay
ranks as a professional golfer.
Bourque will do just that for this week's New England Open Championship,
which will take place at the Portland Country Club and The Woodlands.
The 54-hole tournament, which carries a $55,000 purse, begins today. The
field will be split between the two courses for the first two rounds, then cut
to the low 60 scorers and ties for Wednesday's final round at Portland CC. Top
prize for the tournament is $9,000.
It's not only a first for Bourque, the 1995 Maine Amateur champion, but also
a first for the tournament. It's the first time in the 26-year history of the
New England Open that it will be played in Maine. From 1980 to last year, the
tournament was staged at Quechee, Vt.
The New England PGA, which conducts the tournament, likes to move its major
events, including the New England PGA Championship, to different regional
venues. Portland is a prime location because of the success of the New England
PGA tournament two years ago at Portland CC and The Woodlands.
"The tournament enjoyed a long run in Vermont, and it was kind of tough
moving it until we knew we had Portland and Woodlands," said Ed Carbone, the
NEPGA's executive director.
"They're two of the finest courses in New England. Portland is a great city
and we love coming there.
"I feel we've hit a home run. Next to the New England PGA tournament, this is
our biggest event," he said.
As of last week, there were 163 pros and 10 amateurs entered, which, Carbone
said, represents an increase from last year.
The amateurs will play for $1,000 in merchandise.
Bourque played in his last amateur event this past weekend in the 31st
Tri-City Classic at Biddeford-Saco Country Club and Dutch Elm Golf Course.
Last week he represented Maine along with Mark Plummer and Ron Brown Jr. in
the United States Golf Association team championship in Williamsburg, Va. They
finished tied for 37th out of 50 teams.
"I've been thinking about turning pro for a long time," said Bourque, 22.
"I'm going to learn something whether I'm successful at this or not. In a year
or two, I may decide I'm not cut out for being a pro. I won't have any
regrets. I'm at the age to do it.
"I didn't want to look back seven or eight years from now and say I wished I
had turned pro."
Bourque won the Maine Amateur at Portland CC a month after graduating from
Biddeford High.
He played golf four years at Florida Southern College in Lakeland where he
earned a degree in marketing and finance. He knows he has something to fall
back on if his pro career doesn't pan out.
Bourque has an outstanding short game and is accurate on his iron shots.
"I feel I've added a lot of length off the tee," Bourque said.
"I guess the thing about my game is that I don't do one thing extraordinarily
well, but I'm pretty good all-around. I like the courses for the tournament
and I'm playing reasonably well."
After the New England Open, Bourque plans to play in two North Atlantic tour
events. He hopes to play in Florida this winter.
Portland and Woodlands offer completely different challenges. Length won't be
a factor at Portland, which will play several hundred yards shorter than
Woodlands.
Both courses are in excellent shape, and last Friday's rain will help to
soften them.
"Portland is a very friendly course to play," said Portland head pro Mo
Guttman, who will play in the tournament.
"It's still very challenging because you have to hit the ball straight. Two
rounds of the tournament will be played here, so I look for a player who
drives it straight winning it.
"The rough will three to four inches high. It will be tough to get the ball
close to the hole coming out of it.
"The Massachusetts players love coming to Portland. Having the tournament
here says a lot about the quality of courses we have."
Guttman said there are about a dozen or so players who could win. Mike San
Filippo, a teaching pro from Nashawtuc CC in Concord, Mass., is hot after
winning the New England PGA Championship two weeks ago.
"It helps to have momentum coming into a tournament. San Filippo certainly
has that in his favor," said Guttman.
John Hickson of Bath Country Club is defending champion. Hickson beat Joe
Cioe of Mt. Snow, Vt., in a playoff.
Other Maine contenders include Mike Baker of Bangor, Mike Worroll of
Purpoodock, Tim Angis of Biddeford-Saco and Bob Darling Jr. of Martindale.
Out-of-state players who could contend include Kirk Hanefeld of the Ridge
Club in South Sandwich, Mass.; Frank Dully of Kernwood in Salem, Mass.; and
Paul Parajeckas of Woburn, Mass.
Mark Plummer of Manchester heads the amateur field.

Copyright 1999 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.