
OAKLAND — These last two days are the reason why Luke Ruffing joined the Waterville Country Club this year, so he could be entering the final day of the Maine Amateur golf tournament with a real chance at the championship.
“I joined the club this year, and it was really just to learn the course and learn the greens, and it’s been paying off so far the first couple days,” Ruffing said after posting a 3-under 67 in Wednesday’s second round, sending him into Thursday’s final round with a 5-under total and a one-stroke lead over Ron Kelton.
Historically, home-course advantage has been more myth than reality at the Maine Amateur, especially in recent years. It’s been 24 years since anyone won on his home course, 24 years since Mark Plummer did it at Augusta Country Club to earn the 12th of his record 13 titles.
Last summer at the Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth, Purpoodock members John Hayes IV and Kelton finished second and third, respectively, but their names are practically written into the top of the leaderboard in ink each year. Hayes has finished in the top six each of the last five years and won the tournament the last time it was at Waterville in 2015. Kelton finished in the top three each of the last three years.
Ruffing, who lives in Sidney, had the right idea in joining Waterville Country Club. After Round 1, it looked as if paying dues to Waterville Country Club was a cheat code.
“We have nine guys playing, and they all broke 80 (Tuesday),” Don Roberts, Waterville’s longtime pro, said Wednesday morning as he watched the tournament. “It’s no secret knowing the greens is a big help.”
After Tuesday’s first round, five players representing Waterville were tied for 17th or better, and another, Denver Jalette, wasn’t far off, tied for 26th. Guy Lansing (69), Drew Glasheen (70), Kevin Byrne (72), and Jacob Moody (72) showed that familiarity was key.
“It helps a lot, putting especially,” Glasheen said. “I don’t really have to guess on lines off the tee. I think you just go up there and hit shots… I expected the Waterville guys would play well here. We see these greens every tournament. Faster greens usually do well for the Waterville guys.”
Waterville’s greens don’t undulate as much as they seem to sway, and they’re fast. Nick Pelotte, the club’s general manager, said members are used to that. They see those same fast greens if they’re playing on a Friday afternoon or in the Maine Am. Many holes have fairways narrower than a cluttered hallway, and the course is shorter than the Incredible Hulk’s temper. You play Waterville with the golf equivalent of a scalpel, not an axe.
“I’ve only been able to hit driver like five times. So many irons, so many long irons. Just constantly getting practice on that. Thick rough, fast greens. Everything that’s a weakness in my game, it’s made me a much better golfer,” Ruffing said. “There’s a couple spots where you can bomb it out there to 340 (yards) and have some fun, but it’s so much more of a golfer’s golf course rather than just a bomber’s paradise.”
Ruffing had 11 birdies total in his first two rounds, with six bogeys. The way he played hole No. 2 on Wednesday showed exactly what joining the club meant to his tournament play. The pin was 130 feet from the tee on the par-3 hole. Ruffing’s tee shot hit the back of the green and rolled downhill, back to within a few feet of the hole, and he made birdie.
“I knew if I could get on that slope, it was going to rip back, and it did, which was awesome,” Ruffing said.
Byrne shot a 2-under 68 Wednesday to go into Thursday’s final round at even par, tied for fifth place.
“You’ve still got to hit the golf ball well, but the ins and outs of the golf course also help your pressure, the anxiety situations. You know where the break is. Most people who show up at a place don’t know.”
Lansing shot 40 on the front nine Tuesday, then attacked the back nine with gusto, sinking five birdies to shoot 29 and finish his opening round at 1-under 69. He shot 72 on Wednesday to go into the final round at 1 over, tied for seventh place.
“(Lansing) probably hits it 230 yards, but he can get around here,” Roberts said. “Especially on the back, where it gets short.”
With the lead going into Thursday’s final round, Ruffing’s membership decision is 18 holes from paying off in the biggest way possible.
“When I was coming here this year (for the Maine Am), I said I know I need to join,” he said. “Being 20 minutes away (in Sidney), it’s been a great spot.”
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