BRUNSWICK

Sam Grindle is no stranger to strong finishes in the Maine Amateur Championship.

After the first round of this year’s Amateur at Brunswick Golf Club, Grindle has put himself into a solid position, grabbing the first-round lead after a 4-under-par 68.

Grindle was bogey free on the par-72 layout. The 22-year old from Deer Isle has finished fourth on three occasions in the last four years and is poised for another run at the title heading into today’s second round.

Joe Baker, Jack Wyman, of South Freeport, Will Kannegieser and Judd Parsons all sit one shot back after rounds of 3- under 69. In all, eight players broke par in the first round, meaning this championship is still anyone’s for the taking with 36 holes to be played. Two strokes behind is Brunswick’s Nate McCue, along with Tim Desmarais.

Also from the local area, Mike Doran of Topsham and Brunswick’s Alex Viola are tied for 28th after shooting 3-over par 75. Jason Macdonald (Bath) shot 76, Derek Devereaux ( Brunswick) and Chris Billings (Topsham) were at 77 along with Joe Messerman (Brunswick), while Dave Girardin (Brunswick) and Chris Cloutier (Lisbon) completed rounds of 80. Also, Bath’s Garrett Olson was at 84 and Harpswell’s Greg Callahan shot an 86. Topsham’s Caleb Manuel and Chris Marco of Bath withdrew.

Rain threatened in the morning, and the course received a few showers the night before, slightly softening the greens and leading to solid scoring conditions.

This is the second time Brunswick GC has hosted the Amateur, 20 years after the first playing in 1997. The winning score that year was 1-over par, a number that looks to be easily surpassed.

Play resumed this morning. As of now, the third and final round will be played on Thursday, though heavy rain is forecast for the area. The top 40 and ties after today’s second round make the cut.