Ready for some home cooking ; Casey Bourque is back in familiar digs for the Maine Open after a summer on the Canadian PGA Tour.

Portland Press Herald (Maine) 08-11-2004

Ready for some home cooking ; Casey Bourque is back in familiar digs for the Maine Open after a summer on the Canadian PGA Tour.
Byline: TOM CHARD Staff Writer
Edition: Final
Section: Sports
Memo: THE 86TH MAINE OPEN WHEN: Today-Friday WHERE: Riverside Golf Course, Portland DEFENDING CHAMP: Kirk Hanefeld

After competing on the Canadian PGA Tour this summer, Casey Bourque is happy to be back home and playing in this week's Maine Open golf tourn- ament.

"It's nice to sleep in my own bed," said Bourque, 27.
"It's been a good experience playing on a tour. I've definitely learned a lot about my game. I've been close to making cuts. I've played well at times but haven't gotten as much out of my game as I should have."

Bourque, who grew up in Biddeford, played in the U.S. Open in June at Shinnecock Hills in New York. He missed the 36-hole cut, but relished the experience.

"Two winters ago, I was at Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club in New Hampshire where I'm an assistant pro. I was helping to get things ready for its opening. I never would have imagined two summers later that I would play in a U.S. Open and be on the Canadian tour."

This week is down time for Bourque. He gets to spend time with family and friends and, oh yes, play some golf. Bourque played in the Maine Open pro-am Tuesday, which gave him a chance to reacquaint himself with Riverside Golf Course.

"The whole course is in great shape," he said. "The ball is rolling nice on the greens. Of course, I wish the hole was a little bigger. I'm not making any putts."

Early in his round, Bourque had some birdie chances that rolled by the edges. On the par-3 15th, his long birdie putt stopped less than an inch away.

Bourque wasn't too concerned about those misses. The putts begin to count in today's opening round in the 54-hole tournament, which finishes on Friday. As of Tuesday, there were 80 pros and 50 amateurs entered, with the top pro earning $6,500. The field is smaller than normal because of a competing tournament on the New England-based Cleveland Pro Tour.

Bourque said Riverside plays differently for him than it did when he was younger.

"I couldn't fly it over the traps like I can now. There are also more fairway traps than before," he said of Riverside.

Bourque, incidentally, won the Maine Amateur at Portland Country Club when he was 18.

Bourque knows his putting will have to be better than at past Maine Opens.

"I've hit the ball well here but didn't get much out of those rounds in the past," he said. "Unless you're double digits under par after three days, you don't have a chance to win here. I'm hoping this is going to be a good three days."

Defending champion Kirk Hanefeld, the director of golf at The International in Bolton, Mass., is back this year. Hanefeld won his first Maine Open after coming close in years past.

With the Cleveland Pro Tour taking some of the good, young mini- tour players, the door is open for a Maine club pro.

Jerry DiPhilippo played well in the Greater Portland Open, also at Riverside, in June. DiPhilippo, an assistant pro at Portland Country Club, won in 1995. John Hickson, Mark Fogg and Bob Darling Jr. have played well at Riverside over the years.

A relatively wet and cool summer has been ideal for golf courses. Riverside was in top shape for the Greater Portland Open, and that hasn't changed. It should make for some low rounds once again.

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

tchard@pressherald.com

Illustrations/Photos:
Caption: File photo Casey Bourque is turning this week's Maine Open
into a homecoming of sorts. Bourque, who has been playng on the
Canadian PGA Tour, grew up in Biddeford.

Copyright 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.