13 Sep 2016 at 21:17 | Published by: PatPenguin | Views: 7764 | News search

Maine State Dolphin Open winners. 1st through 6th are L to R.  (Photo by The Putting Penguin)

The weekend after Labor Day in Boothbay, Maine is no stranger to the sounds of putting at Dolphin Mini Golf, the home of the Maine State Dolphin Open. This year marked the 23rd running of the event, with a slight change in format from years past. Where previous events have featured ten rounds over two days this year's event was a one day affair where players competed in eight rounds throughout the day. The field was lighter than in some past years but the competition was still fierce. It was a beautiful day for a tournament on September 10, with clear skies for most of the day and a few drops before the evening two rounds.

The contingent from Connecticut took over this tournament with Justin Seymour leading after 3 rounds, and Pat Sheridan taking the lead after round 6 and seeing it through until the end of round 8. Justin would finish 5th in the event.

There was a three-way tie for second place after the eight rounds between John O'Leary, the last Connecticut entrant, Randy Rice from New York, who you might recognize from the History Channel's "Smartest Guys in the Room" show, and Evan Goodkowsky of Maine. Playoffs at this tournament start on the 15th hole, Bobbin' Buoys, as it's the hardest hole on the course to ace. John lost out on the first hole to settle for fourth place. Randy and Evan would play through to the 2nd hole where Randy sealed second place with an ace. Lee Stoddard, owner of Dolphin Mini Golf, took the sixth and final paying place after a one hole playoff with Dusty Stoddard.

While most thought Sheridan's 5 stroke lead over Goodkowsky and 8 stroke lead over Rice going into the last round was plenty, a round without an ace left Sheridan just one stroke ahead going of those two going into the final hole, a long dogleg right. A long deuce putt clinched the win after 3's by Rice and Goodkowsky.

This was Sheridan's first win at this tournament, with his previous best being 5th place. "We were talking about how someone always makes an afternoon run and this year it was me," Sheridan said. "I was just glad I could hold off the field in that last round and it's a testament to how well I played my middle rounds to build up a good lead." Sheridan walked away with $500 for the win, a gold medal and a Dolphin Championship jacket which changed to black after years of being the blue jacket everyone sought.

The 24th Maine State Dolphin Open is expected to take place in September 2017.

Top Results:
Pat Sheridan - 291
Randy Rice - 293
Evan Goodkowsky - 293
John O'Leary - 293
Justin Seymour - 295
Lee Stoddard - 298

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