The TD Banknorth Portland Open begins Wednesday, June
27. The field in the 54-hole event is cut after Thursday’s round to the low 40 scores and ties.
This tournament in 2006 drew 143 players, including 24 Maine professionals and 33 amateurs. Last year Barry Dear (Salem, N.J.), shot 67-68-65-210 to pick up a $9,000 winner’s check. There are added purses for Maine professionals and senior professionals.
The amateur field is a solid, competitive, tournament within the tournament. Those posting the nine lowest scores after 36 holes automatically qualify for the final round.
Riverside Golf Course (6,406 yards, par 71) is home for this event. Since opening in mid-April the course has gotten minimal play due to wet conditions. According to head professional Ron Bibeau, “The ball is rolling beautifully on the greens and the course overall is in phenomenal shape.”
The 2001 champion, Rod Butcher, is among early entries. Formerly from Greenwich, Conn., he now calls Tampa Bay, Fla., his home. Butcher tied for third in 2005, but did not enter last year.
Others notable name entered thus far:
Jim Becker of Bloomfield, Conn., – the 1998 runner-up.
Casey Bourque, now of Phoenix, Ariz., – the 1993 Maine Junior champ, the 1994 Inter-scholastic champ, and 1995 Maine Amateur champion.
Joey Iaciofano of North Providence, R.I., – he tied for 25th place in 2005.
David Jones of Baltic, Conn., – third low amateur in 2006 and tied for 41st overall.
Rich Parker of Lebanon, N.H., – 2003 champion, shared medalist honors in a recent U.S. Open local qualifier at Crumpin-Fox in Massachusetts. Parker tied for 34th in last year’s TD Banknorth Portland Open.
TOURNAMENT NOTEBOOK
A pair of pro-ams – at Riverside and at Falmouth Country Club – will be staged June 26. Fields will be limited to 18 teams for 10 a.m. shotgun start at both courses. One of the celebrities in the pro-am is Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame shortstop Rico Petrocelli.
A “Tee Off Auction & Wine Tasting” at DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant, hosted by Nappi Distributors’ wine division, signals the start of tournament week on Monday, June 25.
The benefiting non-profit of the tournament is the Barron Center, which provides quality, long-term care for the frail elderly and chronically ill regardless of their financial situation.
Learn more at www.tdbanknorthportlandopen.com
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