Shawn Warren, an assistant pro at Falmouth Country Club, has had another strong season on the New England PGA Tour but is still looking for a win.

Warren, 30, hopes it happens this week in the 36-hole New England Open in Quechee, Vermont.

“Last summer, I was able to get the job done as far as wins were concerned,” said Warren. “I had four wins on the Exotics Tour and won a lot of one-day stuff. I was second in the New England PGA Championship after winning it the year before. I was fourth at the Rhode Island Open after also winning it the year before.”

This summer, Warren placed sixth in both the New England PGA Assistants’ Championship and the New England PGA Championship, and he tied for 20th in the PGA National Club Pro Championship. He was third in the New Hampshire Open and had a couple top 10s in other state opens.

“I’m kind of waiting for a breakthrough. I’m close. Hopefully I’ll have a good result at the New England Open,” he said.

Warren, who played at Windham High and Marshall University, still leads in Player of the Year points on the New England PGA Tour, accumulated through state opens and sectional tournaments. He’s seeking his third straight honor.

“That’s kind of my biggest goal,” he said. “The New England Open is the last major of the season and there’s a lot of points available. I’m getting up there early for two days of practice rounds. I’m hoping to peak.

“I’m not playing that much differently this summer than the past two summers. I’ve been pretty consistent, but something holds me back. When things are going well, you might chip in, sink one or two long putts, or have a tee shot that should have gone out of bounds bounce back in the fairway.”

After the New England Open, Warren said he’ll play in a few pro-ams to get ready for the first stage of Web.Com Qualifying School in Lakeland, Florida, from Oct. 6-9. Players who reach the last of the four stages get at least conditional status on the tour.

Of course he’s looking for full status. Each year, the leading money winners on the Web.com Tour reach the PGA Tour. If Web.Com qualifying doesn’t work out, Warren may try to qualify for the Latin American Tour, held during the winter.

Warren, who uses a long putter, will have to go back to a conventional putter in 2016. The USGA and PGA Tour have banned the anchored putting stroke.

“I don’t think the transition for me will be that great,” he said. “I putted well with the short putter when I was an amateur. I didn’t go to the long putter because I was a lousy putter or had the yips. The long putter was something I felt comfortable with.”

Jim Fairbanks, part owner and director of golf at Dunegrass Country Club in Old Orchard Beach, plays with Warren in senior/junior pro events.

“I don’t think Shawn is completely happy with his game, and yet he’s leading in points for Player of the Year,” said Fairbanks. “That’s pretty amazing.

“I think Shawn has improved every year, but sometimes it doesn’t translate into results. You can hit it great and not make any putts, and the next day hit it the same way and shoot 2 to 3 under. Shawn has improved his ball striking. He’s going to Q-School, and if the putts are falling he’ll make it through the first stage.”

TEE TO GREEN: The Bethel Inn Resort’s 23rd annual Fall Festival Pro-Am will be held Tuesday through Thursday. Teams include three amateurs and a pro, competing in a best-ball tournament in gross and net. Based on 25 teams, the purse will total $17,000, with $12,000 for pros and $5,000 in merchandise for amateurs.

Nineteen teams are entered, said Harry Andrews, the resort’s head pro and director of instruction. Andrews said former PGA Tour pro Tom Shaw is playing and bringing a team. Shaw, 76, won four times on the PGA Tour and twice on the Senior Tour. In 1971, Shaw won twice and earned $96,220 to finish 15th on the PGA money list.

Maine pros who have entered are Jerry DiPhilippo, Bob Darling Jr. and David Grygiel. The entry fee is $75 per day. To enter, contact Andrews at 824-2175 or golfshop@bethelinn.com. …

Mike Doran and Joe Baker won the state Four-Ball Championship last week at Fox Ridge Golf Club in Auburn. They combined for a 36-hole best-ball score of 132, holding off John Hayes IV and Reese McFarlane by a shot. The Hayes-McFarlane team shot a final-round 65 to finish at 133. …

The state Mid-Amateur tournament and the Waterville Fall Classic will be held Sept. 12-13. The Mid-Amateur is at Val Halla in Cumberland, and the Fall Classic is at Waterville.

 

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