CARIBOU, Maine — Sheldon Sappier of Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick, defeated Phil Pelletier of Presque Isle in a four-hole playoff to take top honors in the Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament.
James Saucier of Caribou attempts a putt on hole No. 7 at Caribou Country Club Sunday during the Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament. Saucier had the second place gross score in Div. III. (Staff photo/Kevin Sjoberg)
After being rained out on Saturday, the tourney was held Sunday, July 9, at the Caribou Country Club. Both Sappier and Pelletier finished their 18-hole rounds with scores of 74, forcing the playoff.
Sappier, who plays out of Aroostook Valley Country Club, drained a 10-foot putt on the third playoff hole to stay alive. Both golfers had powerful drives and chips onto the green on the next hole, but Pelletier’s six-footer rolled off the cup, setting up Sappier’s four-foot birdie putt to end it.
The women’s competition was captured by Emily Jose of Caribou, whose score of 82 was seven strokes better than runner-up Betty Deveau, also of Caribou.
The Cary Classic had its largest field in several years as it changed its format from a two-day, 36-hole event to a one-day, 18-hole tourney. In its 34th year, the Cary Classic is organized by the Jefferson Cary Foundation and features Katahdin Trust Company as the major sponsor.
“We think the change to a one-day tournament has a number of positive considerations,” said Mary Harrigan, who chairs the tournament planning committee. “A two-day commitment during our short summer season is hard on families and by going to a one-day event we were able to schedule a rain date which worked out very well for us this year.”
Mike Beaulieu of Caribou watches his tee shot on hole No. 7 during his round Sunday in the Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament. Beaulieu posted the third lowest net score in Div. III. (Staff photo/Kevin Sjoberg)
“Since the inception of the tournament, it has raised more than $250,000 to improve health care services at Cary Medical Center. Over the past three years, funds raised have supported the new Women’s Imaging Center at Cary.
Peter Doebener, president of the Jefferson Cary Foundation Board of Directors, said that the support of the golfers and the quality of the Caribou course made for a very special event.
“The Caribou Country Club course is in the best condition in recent memory,” said Doebener. “The crew really did an outstanding job getting the course ready, members of the country club tournament committee volunteered their time at the event, and our golfers, many who have played the Cary since the beginning, really turned out. It makes all the work going into the event worth the effort.”
Another change in the tournament concerned prizes, which this year were all gift cards with $300 going to the male and female overall winners. Approximately $6,000 was awarded in gift cards and trophies. In addition, each golfer received a polo shirt sponsored by the hospital’s medical staff. Free hamburgers and hot dogs were served out on the course during play. Free hors d’oeuvres were featured during the post-play reception.
Emily Jose chips her ball onto the sixth green during her round Sunday in the Cary Classic Benefit Golf Tournament. Jose, who is from Caribou, won the women’s competition by seven strokes. (Staff photo/Kevin Sjoberg)
Division winners were:
Men’s Div. I, first gross, Sappier; second gross, Pelletier; and third gross, Ralph Michaud, 76. First net, Bobby Russell, 69; second net, Rick Caron, 70; and third net, Steve Clark, 72.
Men’s Div. II, first gross, Jeff Perley, 84; second gross, Eric Brown, 86; and third gross, J. P. Bernard, 87. First net, Stephen St. Peter, 71; second net, Cameron Anderson, 72; and third net, Mart Desmond, 73.
Men’s Div. III, first gross, Gaeton Caron, 91; second gross, Jim Saucier, 92; and third gross, Hobart Kemp, 92. First net, Eric Scott, 71; second net, Graden Ouellette, 74; and third net, Mike Beaulieu, 75.
Men’s Div. IV, first gross, Peter Doebener, 93; second gross, Peter Coffey, 107; and third gross, Brian Goding, 109. First net, Roger Anderson, 65; second net, Sam Clockedile, 75; and third net, Rick Plourde, 78.
Women’s Div. I, first gross: Jose; second gross, Deveau; and third gross, Dorina Martin, 96. First net, Vi Kemp, 71; second net, Bern Michaud, 71; and third net, Jess Thompson, 74.
Women’s Div. II, first gross, Janice Beaulieu, 96; second gross, Dee Hafford, 108; and third gross, Andrea Gallagher, 104. First net, Jennifer Flynn, 73; second net, Kris Doody, 82; and third net, Stephanie Flagg, 94.
Plans are already underway to mark the 35th playing of the Cary Classic on July 7, 2018.
