ORONO — Emily Bouchard of Saco shot a final round 80 in steady rain to win the Women’s Maine State Amateur Golf Championship by eight shots here Wednesday at Penobscot Valley Country Club.

Heading into the final round with a five shot lead, Bouchard, 21, just had to avoid a collapse to win the title in her first try.

Her strategy was to stay aggressive.

“I had to keep pushing,” said Bouchard, a senior this fall at Daniel Webster College in Nashua, N.H.

“There are a lot of birdies out there. I had my opportunities early to make some, but they wouldn’t drop. I’m thrilled to win this tournament. It feels really cool.”

The rain, which arrived just before the final group teed off, continued the whole day.

“It was wet and cool,” Bouchard said. “I just hoped I could hold onto the club as the round went along. A couple of times I thought I was losing my grip, but I managed to hold on.”

It was even more challenging for Bouchard, who plays without a glove.

“That’s how I learned to play. My dad, who taught me, also doesn’t use a glove,” she said.

Bouchard, working this summer in the pro shop at Dunegrass CC in Old Orchard Beach, knew exactly where she stood as she was playing with her closest pursuers, teenager Karli Soracco of Turner and Ann Probert of Waterville, an inspiration at 72 years of age. Soracco was five shots back at the start, but lost ground early in the round. Probert was six shots back.

“Both of them played well,” Bouchard said.

“Ann made a run on the back nine. I was happy to see Karli have such a nice tournament. She showed a lot of composure all three rounds.”

Bouchard was the Maine State Golf Association’s junior coordinator for three summers when Soracco played.

Bouchard had rounds of 66-78-80–224. When it was suggested that Bouchard won the tournament in the first round, she answered with a firm “No”.

“There was still a lot of golf to be played.”

Probert and six-time champion Pennie Cummings of Leeds tied for second at 232. After opening with a pair of 75s, Probert closed with an 82. Cummings had the day’s best score with a 75. The women’s par at PVCC is 73.

Soracco closed with a 84 to finish at 233. She shot a 71 in the first round and then added a 78.

Defending champion Kristin Kannegieser of Minot rounded out the top five with a 238 total. Recent Southern Maine Women’s Association champion. Leslie Guenther of Norway, was sixth at 241.

Bouchard hadn’t played in the tournament before because of her work at the MSGA. She couldn’t play the required three WMSGA weekly events to qualify.

She did this year and then capitalized to win going away.

Bouchard said she plans to defend her title next season when the state championship will be played at the Augusta Country Club.

After that, she’s not sure. An air traffic control major in college, Bouchard said her work could take her anywhere in the United States.

Several family members watched Bouchard over the three days. Her father, John, rode in the cart as her caddy. Her mother was in the gallery as well as a cousin and a friend. Her brother watched her during the second round.

Bouchard dedicated her victory to her late grandmother, Gloria Pellerin, who died last October.

“She was my inspiration,” said Bouchard.

 

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