CAPE ELIZABETH — One is 21 years old, the other is 13. One swings from the right side, the other from the left. Brothers Alex and Reese McFarlane can both shoot low on the golf course.
There’s something else they have in common. They’re playing in the 92nd Maine Amateur that begins Tuesday at scenic Portland Country Club in Falmouth.
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It’s the second straight year the brothers have played in the tournament. Last year they played at Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor. At 13, Reese is the youngest player in the tournament.
“I think it’s really cool that we’re both in the Maine Amateur again even though my little brother can swing the club right-handed better than I can,” said Alex.
One of Reese’s many talents is he’s ambidextrous.
“I can drive the ball the same right-handed as I can left-handed,” said Reese, “but my iron shots are a little shaky right-handed.”
The McFarlanes play at the Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth, where their parents, Jim McFarlane and Jayne Hanley, are members.
Last year, Reese advanced to the final of the men’s club championship. He lost to John Hayes IV, who was Alex’s classmate at Cape Elizabeth High, where they were leading members of the 2007 Class B state championship golf team.
The older brother is playing his best golf even though he broke his right wrist rock climbing two months ago. He had surgery two months ago and a metal screw was inserted. A little over a month later, he qualified for the Maine Amateur by shooting a 75 at Poland Spring Resort.
“After I broke my wrist, I was determined to qualify for the tournament. It slowed my swing down,” said Alex.
“I played golf in high school but I also like to ski, surf and hike. After high school there weren’t as many sports to play so I stuck with golf. Once I took golf less seriously, I started to enjoy it more.”
Alex will be a senior at Southern Maine Community College, majoring in building construction and architecture, and playing for the golf team.
Reese, who turns 14 on July 16, qualified by shooting a 73 at Biddeford-Saco Country Club.
“I thought it was pretty cool that Alex said he was going to qualify, and then went out and did it,” said Reese.
Even with their age difference, is there a sibling rivalry?
“There’s always some brotherly rivalry whenever we play,” said Alex. “We’re always playing against each other.”
Playing at different times the first two days at the Maine Amateur, you can be sure the first name they check out on the scoreboard will be their brother’s.
Reese, one of Maine’s top junior players, has performed well in regional and national tournaments. Last year he finished sixth overall and was the first American finisher in the 12-13 age division at the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. McFarlane will play in this year’s tournament, which will be held July 21-26. He moves up to the 14-15 division, which means playing on a more challenging course.
Reese used to watch his brother coming down the ninth hole at Purpoodock in his high school matches.
This fall, Reese will be a freshman for the Capers and playing in matches.
“I grew up with golf,” said Reese. “I’ve been swinging a club since I could walk. I played in my first tournament when I was 9.”
The younger McFarlane enjoys playing other sports, particularly lacrosse. He gave up soccer and baseball to concentrate on golf.
He said he might dive for the swim team because “I need something to do in the winter.”
He’s not interested in attending a golf academy for school, which is something many of the nation’s best junior players do.
“I’ve talked to a lot of them about it and although they like doing that, I don’t think I would,” he said.
“Practicing golf for six hours a day doesn’t interest me. I would miss being able to play other sports.”
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
Twitter: TomChardPPH
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