Two straight days of oppressive heat greeted golfers at last week’s TD Banknorth Portland Open golf tournament at Portland’s Riverside Municipal Golf Course. Some fared better than others in rounds one and two of the annual New England PGA event that attracts both professionals and amateurs.
Jim Renner of Attleboro, Mass., emerged from those high temperatures just one shot back entering last Friday’s final round of the three-day competition. He made up that one shot and then some over the last 18 holes of play, firing an impressive 63 for a three-stroke win and the top prize of $8,000.
Renner’s 54-hole total of 197 (-16) was two shots better than Justin Goodhue (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and four shots better than Eric Egloff (Bethesda, Md.). The top Maine professional was Jeff Seavey of Warren who finished tied for fifth at -10.
South Portland resident and Riverside club professional Ronald Bibeau played two solid rounds of golf, but just missed making the cut for the final round by a single stroke. Bibeau fired a one-over par round of 72 in round one and he followed that with an identical one-over par round of 72 one day later.
Cape Elizabeth professional Michael Worrell of the Purpoodock Club had an even par round of 71 to open the tournament, but he carded a 77 on day two to miss the cut for the final round.
Amateur Matt Bernstein of Cape Elizabeth struggled in the opening round with a score of 84 before improving his score on round two with a 76, but his +16 total was not enough to get him into Friday’s final round of play.
And South Portland amateur Cash Wiseman carded a 78 and a 75 to finish at +11.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
