Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

June 26, 2012

LPGA Legends players put on a show

Sherri Turner and others in the field at Falmouth Country Club fared well on a challenging course.

By Tom Chard tchard@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

After she shot a 2-under 70 in the opening round Saturday of the Legends Tour event at Falmouth Country Club, Lori West felt it would be difficult for anyone in the field to shoot lower.

"I think the winning score could be 2 under or higher," said West.

Sherri Turner proved her wrong, shooting a 5-under 67 Sunday to finish the 36-hole tournament at 6 under.

As for West, she may have psyched herself out, as she shot an 82 in the second round.

The Hannaford Community Challenge was the first women's professional goal event in the state. It was the LPGA's version of the Champions Tour, and spectators came away with many favorable impressions of the players, not the least of which was that these women can really play.

Like the PGA Tour promotion that states "These guys are good," so too are the Legends.

"It was really good golf," said Jeff Harris, president of Harris Golf, owner of Falmouth Country Club.

"I was surprised at the yardage they played the course at. With all the perched green settings, this is a long golf course. The greens are deep. When the pins are back, it's at least another club you have to hit.

"I wasn't expecting (to see) 6 under as the winning score. They're good ball strikers. It was fun to watch."

A Legends Tour rules official said the tour plays courses just under 6,200 yards.

With the exception of an up-front tee on the 18th hole Sunday, all the tee markers were positioned the same as they would be for male members at the club, said Harris.

Along with the quality of golf, Harris said the players were great with the fans, their pro-am partners and everyone else.

"They're great ambassadors of the game," he said.

The tournament gave spectators a chance to get close to the action, which regular tour events can't offer because of the size of the crowd and security issues.

"We liked the intimate setting," said Harris. "These women were playing for a lot of money, yet they were talkative and interacting with the crowd."

For most of the players, this was their first time in Maine. Turner, who lives in Phoenix and grew up in Greenville, S.C., said she vacationed in Maine several years ago when she was playing on a mini-tour.

"Another player on the mini-tour had relatives in Maine," said Turner, who won three LPGA tournaments, including the 1998 LPGA Championship, in 25 years on the regular tour.

"We came up here for a few days on vacation, but I can't remember where it was."

LPGA Hall of Famer Pat Bradley, who grew up in Westford, Mass., thought she had played in a tournament in either Bangor or Augusta in her amateur days, but wasn't sure where.

They'll remember this past weekend in Falmouth. They hope it becomes a regular stop on the Legends Tour, as does Jane Blalock, whose company, JBC Golf, owns the tour.

Turner summed it up best Sunday.

"We love Maine."

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at: tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH

 

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