BRUNSWICK

Although they don’t call this their home course, local golfers Chris Billings and Garrett Olson consider this their “B” course.

Both golfers have spent time as members at the Brunswick Golf Club but currently call other Maine courses home.

However, on Tuesday the duo were in action together for the 98th Maine Amateur Championship at Brunswick Golf Club.

Despite being a member at Portland Country Club where he has worked the past two summers, Billings has played many rounds here in Brunswick.

“I’ve played a lot of golf here. Although I’m in Portland, I was able to play here a couple of times the past couple of weeks with my dad and brother,” Billings said.

Recent changes to the course in preparation for the tournament caught Billing’s attention.

“The course is in great shape. It was challenging judging the greens as they were a bit faster than usual,” Billings said.

Billings opened Tuesday’s round with pars on the first three holes. After a bogey on the fourth hole, he shot par over the remaining front nine to finish 1-over at the midway point.

Billings, playing in his second Maine Amateur, bogeyed No. 10 but gained a stroke back with a birdie on No. 12. After his tee shot sailed into the No. 11 adjacent fairway, the Endicott College golfer managed to bounce back, laying up onto the green using his wedge and sinking a 15-foot putt.

“It helps I know the course some and it helped me to make birdie there,” Billings said.

Billings double-bogeyed hole No. 15 and bogeyed No. 16 after shooting his tee shot into the woods. On hole number 18, Billings again used his course knowledge to set himself up for success.

“I knew if I got it to the

top of the hill where I could reach the green, I was in good shape,” Billings said.

Billings then used an eight-iron to reach the green.

“I got low trajectory with that club and got a nice roll back to the pin,” Billings said..

Billings missed a birdie putt from six feet away but still managed par, finishing his day with a score of 77

“I’m OK with my score today. I will need to bare down on Wednesday,” Billings said.

Garrett Olson

Bath GC member Garrett Olson has also had some time playing as a member at Brunswick GC. Olson was previously a member for a couple years before moving to Bath GC.

“I used to play here all the time when I first came back to Maine. I even got married here,” Olson said.

Olson, playing in his first Maine Amateur Championship, qualified at Biddeford Saco CC earlier last month.

“I was able to play here a couple of weeks ago,” Olson said. “The greens are a lot different now than they used to be.”

The Morse High School varsity baseball coach struggled a bit hitting the fairways on his tee shots, but was able to help himself on a few holes with quality shots to shoot a 42 on the front nine.

“The course is playing pretty fair today. Hitting the fairways put you in a good shape today,” Olson said. “It’s challenging, but playable.”

Billings, who missed the cut a year ago, will join Olson today, teeing off at 12:40 p.m. in the second round.

“Chris played really well today. I was impressed with his composure,” Olson said. “He’s a good golfer.

Olson enjoyed playing competitive golf at Brunswick Golf Club.

“I’ve always played whatever sports that were out there. I never just focused on one. I figured I’d play golf when I got older,” Olson said. “I look forward to continue playing competitive golf and continue introducing it to my 3-year old son in the coming years.”

Olson finished with a round of 84, leaving him disappointed but again, knew what was more important.

“It was great to play out here today. The main things is to come out and have fun, and I did,” Olson said.