05 Jan 2021 at 13:46 | Published by: PatPenguin | Views: 8183 | News search

Ready in the cold and snow  (Photo by Justin Pelletier)

AUBURN, Maine — When Nathan Fournier's ball climbed the hill on the 17th green, it teetered left, tottered right and came to rest against a small pine needle, an inch or two shy of the cup.

"That should be in," Fournier joked. "Winter rules, right?"

He tapped his ball in for an easy two, and brushed the needle aside.

Playing partner Wil Kramlich followed with the same putt. With no pine needle in the way, Kramlich registered an ace.

Winter rules, indeed.

Fournier and Kramlich were among 28 golfers from around Maine who descended upon Tabers Lakeside Stand in Auburn on Sunday for the inaugural Tabers Holiday Classic, presented by Maine Mini Golf Tour.

The event featured a modified 10-hole course on the popular three-season mini golf track — modified, because it took four hours Saturday afternoon just to shovel out those 10 holes.

"The event was supposed to be the week before Christmas, as we got waylaid by the weather," Maine Mini Golf Tour founder Justin Pelletier said. "When the forecast changed again this week and we saw snow, I just prayed it was going to be lighter stuff that we could shovel."

Close enough.

Pelletier, his daughter, Emma, and league regular Jordy Knoren, with help from Tabers owner Dan Hargreaves, shoveled seven inches of snow off the first six holes, and the final four, forming a 10-hole loop.


Jordy on a cleared hole 5

Twenty-two golfers began the day in the open division, and six more in the junior division, vying for cash prizes and a handful of other prizes. Every golfer received a gift bag, and a holiday-themed golf ball.

Hazel Coolidge shook off the falling temperatures in the final round, and ignored a hiccup or two in the second round to post a third-round 30, good to make up a seven-shot deficit and earn first place in the junior division. Benjamin Carleton placed second, with Emma and Erin Pelletier close behind.


Players on the course

In the open division, Justin Pelletier carded the best round of the day in the final round — a 21 — and edged Knoren by a stroke. Hargreaves, the leader after two rounds, placed third. Ken Daigle and Nate Gromek rounded out the top five.

Knoren started the day on fire, posting a 22 in Round 1, while Hargreaves, playing in his first MMGT event, carded a 23, alongside Daigle.

Justin Pelletier found himself five shots back after the first round following a 4-4-3 start, but started to chip away in the second round with a 23.

In the final round, Hargreaves (48) led Knoren by a stroke, with Pelletier, Daigle and Kyle Labrecque another shot back in a tie for third.

But Pelletier seized control of the round with a 2-2-1-2 start. Hargreaves stumbled on the third and fourth holes. Labrecque, playing one group ahead of the rest of the leaders, couldn't find his footing. Daigle and Knoren stayed steady, but couldn't catch up, even as Pelletier stumbled with a three on the final hole.

Sam Coolidge, Labrecque, Fournier, Kramlich, Dan Brochu and Chris Rolfe rounded out the top 10.


Lining up a wintery putt

Maine Mini Golf Tour handed out branded Chromax golf balls to golfers who registered holes-in-one, and also handed out consolation prizes to the male and female finishers with the highest score.

Maine Mini Golf Tour's next event will be in the spring. Anyone who would like to participate, or any course owner who would like more information on tournament hosting, can email maineminigolftour@gmail.com. Follow the Tour on Facebook, Instagram (@maineminigolftour) and Twitter (@mainetour) for the latest information.

SHARE Share Tweet