ROCKLAND, ME – There is always an added sense of pride when playing for a title with your state’s name attached to it, and that element was on full display earlier this week when Maine Chapter professionals convened on Rockland Golf Club and The Samoset Resort for the 2024 Maine Chapter Championship. Rockland was the perfect setting to kick off a championship, as mountains and nearby Lake Chickawaukie framed the beautiful Par 70 layout on Tuesday. Players were treated to more of the same at Samoset, with the Penobscot Bay providing a spectacular backdrop for championship Wednesday in Maine.
Falmouth Country Club’s Chandler Longfellow set the early pace on Tuesday at Rockland, coming out of the gates with an eagle-birdie start en route to an impressive 5-under 65 that gave him the overnight lead heading into the final round. On Longfellow’s heels was John Hickson of Northport Golf Club, fresh off of a victory at the recent State of Maine Championship, who used his recent momentum to fire a 4-under 66 and stay within striking distance of Longfellow. Also in the mix after Round 1 action was 6-time Maine Chapter Champion Shawn Warren, whose Even Par 70 left him five shots back in his quest for lucky number 7.
Both Longfellow and Hickson got off to strong starts on Wednesday, going out in 1-under and 2-under, respectively, to solidify themselves as the front runners heading into the final 9 holes. With Longfellow stumbling for a 4-hole stretch on the inward half, Hickson took full advantage and finished in style, making birdie on the 18th hole to shoot 1-under 70 and secure a three shot victory at 5-under total. This was Hickson’s 7th career Chapter Championship. Longfellow wasn’t the only competitor that Hickson had to fend off, as Eric Higgins (Webhannet GC) made a valiant effort on day 2, carding 3 birdies in his final 4 holes to shoot 3-under 68 and finish at 1-under for the championship. Warren joined Higgins in a tie for third, shooting a second consecutive 70 that included 5 birdies.
Hickson took home more than one piece of hardware, doubling as the Senior Champion by 11 shots over Nonesuch River GC’s Paul Champagne (74-73, +6.) The Super Senior Division crown was decided in a playoff between Life Member Dan Gillis (76-74, +9) and Tee N’ Tee Golfland’s Dave Grygiel (74-76, +9) whose inverted scores left them tied at the top of the leaderboard after 36 holes of play. Ultimately Grygiel won the title on the extra hole.
Thank you to our generous hosts, Keenan Flanagan, PGA of Rockland Golf Club and Alex Pappas of The Samoset Resort Golf Club for their hospitality all week! Additionally, thank you to our sponsors, Avidia Bank, Tournament Solutions, Cobra Puma Golf, and the PGA TOUR, for their continued support of this event.