CARIBOU, Maine — Ralph Michaud of Presque Isle needed a one-hole playoff to beat Randy Hebert of Murrells Inlet, S.C. for the men’s overall title in a rain-shortened edition of the Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament.
Betty Deveau of Caribou took the women’s title for the second year in a row, holding off a rallying Emily Jose, while Hunter Flynn of Presque Isle repeated as the junior champion.
Due to Sunday’s rain, the tourney was abbreviated to 27 holes from the normal 36.
The tournament was a fund-raising event for the Jefferson Cary Cancer Center. Mary Harrigan, Executive Director of the Jefferson Cary Foundation, said that while the rain dampened the course, it did not discourage the golfers.
“We were so pleased with the support of our golfers”, said Harrigan. “Not only did they not let the rain prevent them from playing some great golf, they stayed for the tournament awards dinner and were very supportive of the entire event.
We also want to thank the Caribou Country Club its members and their staff for, once again, putting on a great tournament program,” Harrigan added.
Katahdin Trust Company was lauded for being the major sponsor of the tourney for the past three years.
“To be successful with a big event like this you need the financial support of a major sponsor. It has been a pleasure to work with Katahdin Trust and they have been a great and engaged partner. They have really helped us to continue a very special golfing tradition here in the County.”
Over the years the tournament has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for the foundation and has benefited a number of projects at Cary Medical Center.
The Caribou Country Club course was in great condition and members of the tournament
committee were out in force to support the event.
Jeff Heron, president of the Caribou Country Club, said that the Cary Classic is a major event for the course and members rally to make the tournament a special experience for everyone.
“Some of the tournament committee members have worked this event for more than a
decade”, said Heron, who played the two-day event. “The mowers and maintenance crew really put in the extra effort to get the course in the best shape of the season and other members volunteer to barbecue and assist with registration and scoring.
“Everyone working together helps make the Cary Classic a premier golf event and it would not be possible without the support of our members,” he added.
The tournament featured 69 golfers and awarded more than $8,000 in prizes. The overall men’s and women’s champions received $500 Visa gift cards. Jeff Jose, the club pro who is responsible for tournament play, said that the quality of prizes has always helped to bring out some great talent.
“This tournament has developed a tradition for great prizes”, said Jose who is a former
tournament champion. “Some of our golfers have played the event nearly every year and it is great to see the familiar faces return to the Classic every year. We have had some exciting play, and once again this year it took a playoff to determine the men’s tournament champion.”
The top three gross and net winners in each division were as follows: Div. I men’s, first gross, Michaud; second gross, Erik Anderson; third gross, Steve Gagnon; first net, Hebert; second net, Porter Gervais; and third net, Tim Gagnon.
Div. I ladies, first gross, Deveau; second gross, Jane Huchholzer; third gross, Vi Kemp; first net, Emily Jose; second net, Jessie Thompson; and third net, Judy Dombroski.
Div. II men’s, first gross, Brent Hatchard; second gross, Dennis Sergent; third gross, Mike Green; first net, Terry Hopkins; second net, Carter Lapointe; and third net, Greg Dickinson.
Div. II ladies, first gross, Janice Beaulieu; second gross, Jennifer Flynn; first net, Kris Doody; and second net, Stephanie Flagg.
Div. III men’s, first gross, Jeff Perley; second gross, Lou Lorenzo; third gross, Dan Cote; first net, Cameron Anderson; second net, Hobie Kemp; and third net, Jim Saucier.
Div. IV men’s, first gross, Sam Robertson; second gross, Graden Ouellette; third gross, Matt Bouchard; first net, Ben McQuade; second net, Peter Coffey; and third net, Jon Langley.
In addition to the two days of golf and a free practice round the Cary Classic also offers an awards dinner at the conclusion of the event. This year the dinner featured ‘local’ fare. Bill Flagg, director of community relations and development for Cary Medical Center, said that working with area growers added a special element to the tournament.
“Cary has been working to increase our use of locally grown foods, especially over this past year,” said Flagg, who is an Ambassador for Health Care Without Harm’s Healthy Food in Health Care Program. “We were so pleased when the caterer, the Par and Grill Restaurant, agreed to work with us so that items on the menu would be locally sourced. The prime rib, baked potatoes, ice cream and blueberry dessert were all locally raised. Everyone wins when you support local agriculture.”
Special award winners included Emily Jose and Tim Gagnon for Saturday’s closest to the pin competition, Vi Kemp and Steve Gagnon for Sunday’s closest to the pin; Kris Doody and Randy Hebert for Saturday’s longest drive competition; and Judy Dombroski and Curt Anderson for Sunday’s longest drive.
Plans are already underway for the 2017 Cary Classic which will mark its 34th year. The dates are tentatively set for July 8 and 9. For more information on the tournament, contact Harrigan at 493-4849.
