17 May 2022 at 13:09 | Published by: PatPenguin | Views: 34839 | News search

L to R: Dan Brochu (2nd), champion Richard Patrie and Mark "Highlighter" Novicki (3rd)  (Photo by Maine Mini Golf Tour)

Auburn, Maine - There wasn't a single part of the nicked-up metal rim Richard Patrie's ball didn't graze on its circuitous route into the cup Sunday, the final putt of a roller-coaster playoff to determine the winner of the second Maine Mini Golf Spring Fling at Tabers Restaurant and Mini Golf presented by Rowe Auburn.

Dan Brochu, a perennial contender and past MMGT champion, made a 3 on the fourth playoff hole after getting hung up behind a rock, opening the door for Patrie, who cozied his ball down the slope to about two feet. Patrie took a deep breath, settled his putter and sent the ball rolling. It waggled right, wriggled left and caught the edge of the cup, spinning nearly two full revolutions before falling in. Tension gave way to joy for Patrie, a longtime member of the local Tabers league and first-time major tournament champion. He outlasted Brochu and Mark "Highlighter" Novicki, who all were tied after three rounds at 125. Each golfer made a par on the first playoff hole, and Novicki bowed out on the second hole after a tough bounce off a brick led to a longer-than-ideal second putt, which he missed. Patrie and Brochu both made 2 at the second playoff hole, and again at the third, before the drama on the fourth and final playoff hole.

For his efforts, Patrie earned the $250 first prize, a trophy, and a custom MMGT logo Chromax golf ball. Brochu captured the $150 second prize, and Novicki earned $100. Gary Savage and Ken Daigle finished tied for fourth place with 129, and Savage aced the first playoff hole to take home the $50 fourth-place award. Daigle earned $25 for fifth.

Novicki also earned an extra cash prize for being the only player to ace the perilous 10th hole, and Daigle won — in another playoff with Novicki — the prize for lowest round of the tournament. Both Novicki and Daigle shot 2-under 39 in the final round.

In the junior division, Savannah Buteau navigated the course in rounds of 62 and 65 for a 127, earning first place among junior players.


Junior Division winner Savannah Buteau

Patrie had command of things through the first two rounds. He shot 42-40—82 to take a three-stroke lead into the final round over three golfers — Brochu, Savage and defending champion Kyle Labrecque. Novicki was four back after an 86. Brochu closed with a 40 and Novicki with his 39 to catch Patrie, who stayed consistent with a 43. Labrecque closed with a 45 to finish in sixth, one stroke out of the 4-5 playoff. Nathan Fournier, Alex Savage, Adam Turner and Patrick Moore rounded out the Top 10.

Of note, popular broadcaster/podcaster Kirk Minihane made the trip from Massachusetts to play in his first MMGT major, and acquitted himself well, finishing tied for 11th with Dennis Gagnon at 134, nine shots off Patrie's pace. Cody Dolloff of Rumford and Justin Pelletier of Raleigh, North Carolina finished 10 strokes back at 135, tied for 13th position.

Maine Mini Golf Tour and its events are possible thanks to the support of their sponsors, including Spring Fling title sponsor Rowe Auburn, venue sponsor Tabers, Revolution Mortgage, Little Joe's, Collins Carpet Cleaning and Craft Brew Underground.

League night returns

The MMGT Spring Fling at Tabers presented by Rowe Auburn was the first event of the season, and helped kick off the Tabers Weekly Summer League, which begins on Monday, May 16 and runs on consecutive Mondays through August, taking Memorial Day and July 4 off.

In its third season, the weekly league returns to its original Monday night time slot. Anyone can join each week, and there will be weekly and season-long prizes for both open division and junior division players. It's $10 per adult, $8 for juniors (12-and-under) for two rounds of mini golf. Lowest rounds each week will win cash and prizes, and we'll crown a league champion after Week 10. Stay tuned to Maine Mini Golf Tour's social media for the latest on the league, and any other tournament information. For more information, email maineminigolf@gmail.com.

(Thank you to the Maine Mini Golf Tour for providing this article).

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