Greater Bangor Open

The Greater Bangor Open was an American golf tournament. It was played annually from 1967 to 2016 at Bangor Municipal Golf Course in Bangor, Maine.

History

[edit]

In 1971, future PGA Tour star Lanny Wadkins played the event. In the three-round tournament, he closed with rounds of 64 (−8) and 63 (−9) to win. Many years later, Wadkins reflected about his success at the tournament with the Bangor Daily News. "I got it going there," he told them. "When you're going good, you think more and more low numbers." It was his first professional victory.[1]

A number of other PGA Tour golfers have had played the event. In 1975, Wayne Levi played the Greater Bangor Open. He finished runner-up. In the late 1970s, PGA Tour players Bob Eastwood and Dave Eichelberger played the event. In 1982 and 1984, future PGA Tour member Jeff Sluman played the event. In 1996, former tennis star Ivan Lendl played in the event as part of his transition to become a professional golfer. In 2003 and 2004, future PGA Tour winner Sean O'Hair played the event. According to Connecticut club pro, Jim Becker, "Outside of the PGA and Nationwide Tours, this is one of the best events in the country."[1]

In 2019, after being held for 52 consecutive years, the tournament ceased operations. The event was no longer deemed "economically feasible." Bangor Municipal's club professional, Rob Jarvis, explained, "The days of $1 per gallon gas and a $50 a night hotel room are long gone... To have 70 guys show up and have a small purse isn't worth it for them or for the golf course."[2]

Tournament names

[edit]
  • 1967–1971: Jordan Open
  • 1972–1980, 1992–2016: Greater Bangor Open
  • 1981–1991: Miller High-Life Bangor Open

Winners

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Year Champion Score Ref.
2016 Jesse Larson 192
2015 Jon McLean 197
2014 David Chung 191
2013 Eric Steger 129
2012 Will Mitchell 198
2011 Jesse Speirs 200
2010 Scott Hawley 194
2009 Marc Hurtubise 131
2008 Shawn Warren 130
2007 Rob Oppenheim 200
2006 Marc Lawless 200
2005 Matt Donovan 199
2004 Matt Donovan 198
2003 William Link IV 202
2002 Paul Dickinson 200
2001 Jim Slinetti 200
2000 Bill Downes 199
1999 John Connelly 202
1998 Joe Cloe 206
1997 John Hickson 203
1996 Brian Lawton 200
1995 Eric Egloff 201
1994 Jason Widner 202
1993 Gus Ulrich 199
1992 Jeff Julian 206
1991 Mike Colandro 205 [3]
1990 Andy Brock 202
1989 Gus Ulrich 205
1988 Richard Parker 203
1987 Bob Mattiace 208 [4]
1986 Mike Baker 136
1985 Jeff Lewis 203 [5]
1984 Chip Hall 206 [6]
1983 Jeff Grygiel 207 [7]
1982 Jeff Lewis 207 [8]
1981 Peter Teravainen 208 [9]
1980 Jack Ferenz 205
1979 Mark Plummer (a) 207
1978 Rocky Thompson 213
1977 Bruce Douglass 207 [1]
1976 Mike Buja 206
1975 Mike Shea 207 [1]
1974 Bruce Ashworth 205 [1]
1973 Marlon Heck 207 [10]
1972 Paul Barkhouse 209
1971 Lanny Wadkins 201 [1]
1970 George Johnston 207
1969 Jerry Abbott 209
1968 Joel Goldstrand 203
1967 Ed Wiatr 207 [11]

Source:[12][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "28 Jul 2007, 12 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  2. ^ Stewart, Jason (May 28, 2019). "After 52 Years, The Greater Bangor Open Is No More". Q106.5. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  3. ^ "29 Jul 1991, 12 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  4. ^ "3 Aug 1987, 26 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "5 Aug 1985, 8 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  6. ^ "30 Jul 1984, 12 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  7. ^ "1 Aug 1987, 17 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  8. ^ "2 Aug 1982, 16 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  9. ^ "Before and after". The Bangor Daily News. August 4, 1981. p. 14. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  10. ^ "20 Aug 1973, 19 - The Bangor Daily News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  11. ^ "1st champ Waitr still a battler". The Bangor Daily News. August 1, 1980. p. 19. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  12. ^ "Greater Bangor Open". treeoflifeworkshop.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.