Sam Grindle of Deer Isle is an alternate to the U.S. Amateur Championship next month near Chicago after finishing third this past week at a sectional qualifier. He’s one of many alternates around the country.

“I don’t have any idea what my chances are of getting into the tournament,” said Grindle. “I’m not expecting to get a call but if I do, I’ll be pretty happy.”

Grindle played in a sectional qualifier Tuesday at The Ledges in York. There were two spots available and they went to a pair of Canadian players, Joey Savoie and Eric Banks. Savoie was medalist with a 36-hole score of 140 (69-71). Banks shot 142 (73-69). Grindle was next at 144, and Zach Zaback of Farmington, Connecticut, is second alternate after shooting 145.

Joe Alvarez of North Berwick and Joe Walp of Portland tied for 10th at 150.

Grindle, a redshirt junior at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, was in position to grab one of the qualifying spots after he opened with a 67 on a hot, humid day. But Grindle struggled over the second 18, coming home with a 77.

“I started really well,” said Grindle. “I was 6 under through 12 holes. Then on the next hole I hit my drive into a divot and made my first bogey.

“I was really happy with my opening round. On the second 18, the wind picked up a little bit.”

Reversing nines for the second round, Grindle started on No. 10 and made a triple bogey.

“That brought me back a little. I didn’t hit the ball as well or make as many putts,” said Grindle.

“Thirty-six holes is physically grinding. It’s an up-and-down course with a lot of hills, but that’s not why I didn’t play as well in the second round.”

Grindle has had a strong summer. He played in the last group of the Maine Amateur at Waterville Country Club, finishing fourth with rounds of 69, 70 and 73 for a 3-over 213 total.

On Monday, Grindle will head to the New England Amateur at Baker Hill Golf Club in Newbury, New Hampshire. The schedule is 18 holes on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 36 holes on Thursday.

“I’ll get a practice round in on Monday. I feel good about my game,” said Grindle.

Others are impressed with his game, too, particularly his poise.

“He’s so cool when he plays,” said Nancy Storey, executive director of the Maine State Golf Association.

Grindle got his first tournament experience playing in MSGA junior tournaments. He was also a standout in basketball and baseball at Deer Isle-Stonington High. He said he started playing golf at Island Country Club when he was old enough to walk and swing a club.

“My parents were into golf and they kind of got me started,” said Grindle. “I lived 45 seconds to a minute from the golf course. I would play all day with a friend.”

Grindle, 20, said he’s been working on being more consistent.

He took the spring semester off at Rollins but will return to school this fall and hopes to contend for a top-five position on the team.

After the New England Amateur, Grindle said he will play in the Maine Open (July 27-28) at Augusta Country Club and the Maine Match Play Championship (Aug. 11-13) at Martindale Country Club in Auburn.

TEE TO GREEN: The Maine Women’s Amateur will be played July 27-29 at Biddeford-Saco Country Club. Leslie Guenther of Norway is the defending champion. Three-time champion Emily Bouchard of Saco is playing well and will be on her home course. Other top players include Kristin Kannegieser of Minot, Monica Austin of Yarmouth, Bailey Plourde of Newcastle, Mary Brandes of Falmouth, Staci Creech of Bangor, Carrie Langevin of Augusta and Melissa Johnson of Auburn.

Winners of the MSGA’s B&C Championship at Dutch Elm Golf Course last week were Class B gross, Bob Libby (154); Class C gross, Dan Honan (164); Class B net, Norm Russell (135); Class C net, Michael Francoeur (136); Class B senior gross, Jeffrey Goodman (163); Class B senior net, David Stonebraker and Mike Singleton (144); Class C senior gross, Paul Renard (174); and Class C senior net, Bill Cloutier, David Littlefield and Edward Schencks Jr. (140).

There are still openings for the Charlie’s Maine Open pro-am July 26 at Augusta Country Club. The team entry fee (three amateurs and a pro) is $750, and includes carts, prizes and a dinner. The pro-am is a fundraiser for the MSGA Scholarship Fund. To enter, email Nancy Storey at nancy@mesga.org. Amateurs get to pick the pro they want to play with, and the pro doesn’t have to be entered in the 36-hole tournament, which will be played July 27-28. As of last week, 123 players had entered, leaving 33 spots available.

“We’ve filled the tournament for the last three years,” said Storey.

 

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